A GENEROUS Kidderminster jeweller has proved "the world is not full of bad people".

Bill Crook was touched by the story of a 21-year-old Stourport sailor whose room was ransacked by burglars shortly after he had left for the Gulf earlier this year.

And now Mr Crook is offering to replace Steven Barnes' £500 gold bracelet, which was stolen in the raid in January.

Sara Foster, featured in the Shuttle/Times and News last month, wanted to get the bracelet back because it was Steven's 21st birthday present from his friends in the Navy. Sara Foster picks out a new bracelet for her son, Steven Barnes.

Mr Crook, of BBM Jewellery, Lion Street, Kidderminster, said: "I would like to offer Steven Barnes a replacement bracelet worth up to £500 when he comes back from the Gulf.

"Having been burgled myself, I know the feeling and can imagine how deflated Steven must have felt."

The 67-year-old added: "As a serving member of Her Majesty's forces, he must be a worthy citizen and having served in the forces myself, I can imagine how he must have felt being robbed."

Mr Crook has been running the family's jewellery shop for 22 years. He is also Kidderminster Radio Link's founder - a system which links retailers to each other and to the police by radio and passes information about active thieves in the town.

Steven said: "It's nice to know there are still some good people around who think of others before themselves and the world is not full of bad people as I was beginning to think.

"Mr Crook's wonderful gesture helps me focus on the job I have to do, knowing that I am not just putting my life on the line for people who do not care about anything but themselves."

Mum of five Mrs Foster said: "I can't thank Mr Crook enough - he's wonderful. I wish he could have heard Steven on the phone when I told him about the bracelet. Steven Barnes

"My son was close to tears - he was really chuffed."

The 40-year-old care worker added: "Steven is feeling a bit down - he's very homesick - but news about the gift really cheered him up.

"Mr Crook doesn't know what he has done to that kid. He might be back in August - the bracelet will be a nice welcome home present."