PART of Evesham's Abbey wall has collapsed just weeks after it was restored.

The 7ft-high ancient monument beside Abbey Mews is now considered a danger to the public.

Wychavon District Council has cordoned it off under emergency legislation designed to protect the public.

The whole length of the wall has been a contentious issue for about six years, after previous collapses.

It took some time before ownership and liability was established and for English Heritage to determine the types of materials to be used in its reconstruction.

Pearce Construction, based at Abbey Gates, commissioned experts to carry out the work.

The company's managing director, John Darby, said: "As soon as we know what and why it happened we will be building it back up again.

"We commissioned specialist contractors to do the work and I am very surprised indeed that it has come down after such a short time."

Mews resident, John Rendle, said: "I think the whole wall is a danger to the public and needs to be lowered."

Neighbour, Robert Johnson, said: "I was disappointed to see it had fallen down; it was built very well indeed.

"I would guess it has something to do with the effects of extreme frosty weather on the conservation materials used, before the wall had cured properly. "

Wychavon's building consultancy manager, Steven Evans, said: "We have inspected the wall under the emergency legislation within the building act and have cordoned it off to prevent people from going anywhere near it. English Heritage is also being called in."