Council jobsworths have threatened a Good Samaritan with legal action for cleaning neglected gravestones.

Ben McGregor, 25, who lost both his best friend and dad to suicide, voluntarily washes headstones and paving in a cemetery in South Tyneside simply to ‘do his bit for the community.’

After first cleaning a relative’s grave and then one belonging to the relative of an elderly gentleman who could no longer manage, Mr McGregor received so much positive feedback that he set up a Facebook page dedicated to his cleaning activities.

He received further cleaning requests and always ensures he has permission of the grave owners before embarking on any project – but has now been told by South Tyneside Council that he must stop.

A council spokesman said once it was ‘made aware’ that graves were being cleaned 'without authorisation'...  it was required to 'step in.’

In what Mr McGregor said was ‘health and safety gone mad’, the spokesman added that it ‘would be inappropriate to allow the general cleaning of memorials in areas where safety checks have not taken place’.

He added that checks on ‘safety, risk assessments, insurance and liability’ would have to be carried out before any voluntary cleaning could continue.

But Mr McGregor has since been inundated with positive feedback from those whose loved ones are buried in the cemetery in Hebburn – and has vowed to carry on.

He said: ‘I was sitting on my dad's bench in the graveyard and I couldn't help but notice what a state it was in.

‘I thought to myself, why not do something about it? I lost my dad to suicide in 2012, and my best mate also took his own life five years ago.

‘I have suffered with my own mental health. If I am helping other people it helps me.

‘First of all, I cleaned up a relative's grave, and then did one for an old man with a walking stick who couldn't manage.

‘He was over the moon. Then, I set up the Facebook page and was flooded with requests.

‘The one that stands out to me is a woman who was suffering from cancer. She was crying on the phone, saying that's the nicest thing anyone has ever done for me.

‘The council's response has blown my mind. It's doing my head in.’

Mr McGregor simply uses soap, water and a bristle brush to clean the graves with astonishing results.

He has so far transformed 24 graves and says he has no plans to stop after an outpouring of gratitude from the people he's helped and have viewed his results.

On his Facebook page – Hebburn Cemetery Gravestone Transformations – well-wishers’ comments include: ‘You are a wonderful, kind and caring human being, I’m sure your Dad will be looking down with immense pride.

‘You’ve turned a personal heartbreak into something so special, those who have benefited from your kindness are extremely grateful. Thank you does not cover it.’

Pam Sutton, who donated some money to Mr McGregor to cover his cleaning materials, added: ‘Thank you for what you did for us and every one of the other families.

‘Very happy to cover for the cost of materials to help you keep up this kind and wonderful work.’

Despite the glowing reviews, Mr McGregor said he was first contacted by South Tyneside Council by telephone in March when he created his Facebook page and they told him he didn't have permission to work on the graves.

He continued with the cleaning and several days later he received a second call, in which he says he was told: ‘You need to stop now.’

Mr McGregor said: ‘I replied that I would be carrying on.

‘I did not know I needed permission from the council. I always make sure I have the permission of the grave owners, and have seen their lease for plot.

‘The council told me grave cleaning has to be done by a professional and that even the owners can't touch them.

‘They say I need a health and safety certificate, but this is health and safety gone mad.

‘It seems crazy. The council have said they are going to take legal action against me. It's just ludicrous.

‘I have no plans to stop as all of this has been said to me verbally, over the phone and in a meeting. I haven't received anything in writing.’

Mr McGregor said he doesn't start work on gravestones until he has carefully inspected them and abandons the process if the memorials are ‘wobbly’ or ‘crumbling.’

Another well-wisher, Peter Miller said: ‘This lad’s an inspiration, get behind him.

‘The council crazy gang couldn't make a good decision if they tried. Why, why, why? Makes my blood boil.’

A spokesperson for South Tyneside Council said: ‘We greatly value the work of volunteers who help care for our cemeteries and work closely with several established Friends of Cemetery groups across the borough.

‘A borough‑wide memorial inspection programme is currently underway and not all cemeteries have yet been inspected.

‘It would be inappropriate to allow the general cleaning of memorials in areas where safety checks have not taken place, and as a precaution all voluntary groups were asked to pause memorial‑related work in those locations.

‘In this particular case, an individual was asked to pause activity temporarily while standard checks are carried out around safety, risk assessments, insurance and liability.

‘While cemeteries are maintained by the council, headstones and memorials are the private property of grave owners.

‘As the burial authority, the council has a legal responsibility to ensure that any activity taking place does not put people at risk or expose families or the council to potential liability.

‘Professional stonemasons are able to continue working because they are regulated, registered and insured, and notify the council when carrying out work on behalf of a grave owner with the appropriate documentation in place.

‘Once the council became aware that memorials were being cleaned without authorisation, it was required to step in.

‘This reflects the council's general duty to uphold cemetery regulations and is about ensuring everything is done safely and properly, with further discussions planned once checks are complete.’