A BENCH has been placed in Worcester city centre to commemorate a former city couple.

It stands outside the Guildhall, near to former The Golden Lion pub, where the late Doug and Betty Blake were the licensees from 1978 to 1986.

The pub has since been converted into a shop, but their niece Linda Abraham-Keyford decided to make the tribute to them.

She thought it would be an ideal way for people to remember her uncle and aunt, who lived all their lives in Worcester.

She has funded it herself, with the help of her brother Michael, sister Susan and cousin Pat.

"We hope by commemorating a bench to my uncle and aunt, it will encourage them to remain in the memory of the people of Worcester," said Mrs Abraham-Keyford, who lives in Waterlooville, Hampshire.

"They both loved the city and their time as publicans, and are fondly remembered by all their family.

"We don't live in Worcester, and we thought it was a nice way of preserving their memory."

Betty Blake died in March this year, and her husband died several years ago.

The bench to commemorate their memory cost £800 and was installed by city council engineers.

It was manufactured by Broxap Ltd., which supplies most of the council's cast iron street furniture.

"We are pleased to receive this kind offer to donate a bench seat in memory of the former landlord and landlady of The Golden Lion public house," said Dave Denning, senior engineer at Worcester City Council.