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

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

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

Mum Sara Foster wanted to get the bracelet back because it was Steven's 21st birthday present from his friends in the Navy, but the kind jeweller came up with another option.

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

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

"As a serving member of Her Majesty's forces, he must be a worthy citizen - I served in the forces myself."

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 he was touched by the act of kindness.

"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," he said.

"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."

His mother is delighted with the gesture.

"I can't thank Mr Crook enough - he's wonderful," said the mother-of-five.

"I wish he could have heard Steven on the phone when I told him about the bracelet.

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

The 40-year-old care worker added that her son was finding being away from home difficult.

"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."