THE big-hearted boss of a building firm has rescued this year's annual Mayor of Worcester's charity banquet on Friday.

The continuing £600,000 works to bring the Grade II listed Guildhall in line with the Disability Discrimination Act had forced inspectors to limit the numbers of guests in the upper ballroom to 100.

This is half the number Mayor Allah Ditta had hoped would be able to enjoy the event and support Acorns, St Richard's Hospice and Worcestershire Volunteers. But Tony Hyde, managing director of award-winning construction company Thomas Vale, not only came up with a plan to satisfy fire regulations, but also chipped-in with the cost of all the necessary works including signage, lighting and construction at the company's own expense.

"As big-hearted gestures go, this one takes an awful lot of beating and three local charities are now set to benefit enormously from his personal interest in an issue that really had me worried," said Coun Ditta.

Work elsewhere at the Guildhall is expected to be completed by mid-August.