AN old direction sign which stood at the corner of Heathfield Road and Birchfield Road, in Webheath, is now taking pride of place in a Bromsgrove back garden.

Anyone looking for a few pointers about old signs would do well to meet Graham Stanton, the proud owner of this and about 600 others.

Graham, 51, was donated the sign by the former Hereford and Worcestershire County Council in the late 1980s to add to his amazing collection, which also includes wartime memorabilia.

The 10ft tall sign, which stood in Webheath from 1914, is a unique specimen and very rare according to Graham, who is a health and safety officer by trade.

He said: "Luckily when it was removed it wasn't scrapped but was put into storage before finding its way to me.

"It's certainly the oldest direction sign I have got in my collection as most of them were melted down and replaced after the Second World War.

"It's an unusual and pleasing sign and has certainly found a good home."

Graham, who is probably the country's leading authority on the history of British road signs, also has an Automobile Association and Motor Union sign from Feckenham which stood on the road into the village from Droitwich.

The circa 1911 yellow and black sign displays the name of the village and the distance to Alcester and Droitwich.