A MAN who travels 370 miles to pay his respects to his beloved late wife at Dunfermline Cemetery has offered to contribute £1,000 to ensure security is tighter at the graveyard.

George Pitblado, 85, was born and bred in Dunfermline along with his wife, Jane, but has lived down south for more than 55 years.

The Auld Grey Toun was never far away from their hearts though and in August, Jane was laid to rest in the town's cemetery following her death.

George, who lives in Cambridgeshire, was paying her one final visit early in the morning on May 1 when he came across sickening graffiti that had defaced headstones and has shocked the Dunfermline community.

Troubled by what he saw, he has offered to give £1,000 towards better security and thinks that should involve the installation of CCTV.

He told the Press: "I had visited the cemetery at 7pm on Friday evening and I went to say a final goodbye to my good lady before I left at 5.45am the next morning.

"We married 60 years ago and it's 55 years ago since we left but Dunfermline has always been close to out hearts.

"She's at the cemetery now waiting for me.

"It wasn't until later on when I stopped at Scotch Corner that I was able to ring my brother to tell him what happened at the cemetery.

"I wanted to make sure that a family member didn't go down there as their child is buried at the baby memorial too.

"So this all very personal for me."

Since George's generous offer of a donation earlier this week, Fife Council have confirmed that CCTV will not be installed and have said it is "not seen as a practical solution to the problem" at this time because of the large area it would need to cover.

The decision has angered George. He said: "Fife Council, in coming to their decision, can't see the wood for the trees, or in the case of the recent foul vandalism, the memorials for the trees.

"The installation of CCTV (or cameras as they use to film wildlife), local to the defaced memorial, would give comfort to the many families who lost loved ones and have been told that their loved ones' special memorial had been defaced in such a way.

"It would also avoid distress to all other families on seeing such vandalism, and vandals being aware that CCTV was in operation may think twice before carrying out such foul deeds.

"Having been there at 7pm on Friday and again at 0545 on the Saturday, what kind of voluntary security will meet the need?

"There have been several incidents of vandalism in recent times so I was aware it could happen but it still doesn't prepare you for seeing it. It was in your face and you couldn't avoid it.

"I think CCTV will help."

Fife Council issued a statement which read: "There has also been discussion around the need for CCTV in the cemetery. However, given the large area it would need to cover, it is not seen as a practical solution to the problem at this time."

Community manager Andrew Gallacher said: "We will be in touch with this gentleman to thank him for his very generous gesture and discuss how best this donation can contribute to the cemetery."

l CCTV will NOT be installed at Dunfermline Cemetery despite please from community, page 15.