THESE photos show life inside the crumbling garden of a city restaurant owner who faces a £400,000 bill for the collapsed retaining wall which toppled down into the street below.

The 'dangerous' garden is now out of bounds for the family of Adam Giagnotti, including his two young children who must play inside.

His youngest boy, five-year-old Oscar, offered all his pocket money towards repairing the collapsed wall in Reservoir Lane off Rainbow Hill.

The retaining wall collapsed on Friday, February 9, sending rubble and mud spilling all over the road from Olive Branch and Impasto owner Giagnotti's garden above.

Even the sandpit where his children, aged five and seven, play toppled down from the 12-metre high wall into the road below.

Worcester News: KIND: Adam Giagnotti holds son Oscar, five, who offered all the money he had to help his dad repair the collapsed retaining wall while his other son, Jacob, has also been affected KIND: Adam Giagnotti holds son Oscar, five, who offered all the money he had to help his dad repair the collapsed retaining wall while his other son, Jacob, has also been affected (Image: James Connell/Newsquest)

The 42-year-old said: "The barrier was put up in the garden on the day it happened. But I didn't realise I would be paying for it all - or the traffic light system. The council has just fenced it off and left it."

So far the family has received two letters - a section 77 telling them the garden is now in a dangerous condition and another about the cost of recovery. 

Mr Giagnotti is exploring why the wall was placed back on the deeds of the house and is keen to speak to anyone who may have more historic details and archive material about the wall, which predates the existence of the semi-detached house he bought just over nine years ago.

"My children are asking why. Oscar gave me all his money (about £25) to pay to fix the wall. He took his treasure, as he calls it, to pay for the wall. The children know not to go in the garden now."

Worcester News: LOST: The collapsed wall has left Olive Branch owner Adam Giagnotti's garden out of bounds for his family and saddled him with a potential £400,000 bill LOST: The collapsed wall has left Olive Branch owner Adam Giagnotti's garden out of bounds for his family and saddled him with a potential £400,000 bill (Image: James Connell/Newsquest)

He explained when they moved into the house a surveyor had declared the wall 'adequate for its purpose' but that only covered the day of the survey itself.

"We don't understand what has changed in nine years. I have insured everything correctly. We have done everything by the book. If we had known there was any risk we would not have bought the house," he said.

Worcester News: COLLAPSE: The retaining wall in Reservoir Lane collapsed back in February and the road is fenced off with traffic lights still in place on Rainbow Hill at the junction with Reservoir Lane COLLAPSE: The retaining wall in Reservoir Lane collapsed back in February and the road is fenced off with traffic lights still in place on Rainbow Hill at the junction with Reservoir Lane (Image: Newsquest)

They employed a gardener to maintain the wall and keep it clear of any vegetation. They paid £217,000 for the house when they bought it but have since invested a further £200,000 to turn it into a five-bedroom property.

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He said he wished to thank neighbours for their support.

Mr Giagnotti said it is information he needs about the history of the wall so he can understand 'why it's all down to me'. He understands insurance paid out for a collapse on the same wall in 1998.

"What's the difference now?" he said.

A spokesperson for Worcestershire County Council said: “Our Highway Status and Extent team completed their search enquiry to confirm ownership.  The conveyance on the property confirms that ownership and maintenance of the retaining wall rests with the landowner. 

"We can confirm that the area was made safe following this wall collapse, and traffic management installed. There are daily costs being incurred as a result of the traffic lights at this location.  On completion of the required works to the wall, we will then discuss further with the resident.”