A BUILDER'S gesture in waiving his normal £3,000 fee to repair a decaying wall has been welcomed by a Bewdley town councillor.

Gordon Yarranton hopes Richard Jones's generous act will be copied by other companies that want to help improve Bewdley and the surrounding area.

Mr Jones, who runs Hagley Homes, noticed a long stretch of wall in Wribbenhall Road, near All Saints' Church, had fallen into disrepair when he began work on an apartments project nearby.

He described the 100-year-old sandstone wall, which is, effectively, a gateway to Bewdley, as "very important to the town's appearance". As a contribution to its refurbishment, he detailed a team of his bricklayers to carry out the work - at no cost.

Mr Yarranton, who is also a member of Wyre Forest district and Worcestershire county councils, had been campaigning for the improvement to what had become an eyesore.

He said: "Hopefully, other businessmen and people feeling philanthropic will follow the lead of Hagley Homes, so that other eyesores will get a makeover."

He added: "It's very refreshing for someone to make a gesture of this nature without wanting payment. The wall had been in dire need of repair for many years."

Other companies or potential benefactors keen to follow Mr Jones's lead can contact Mr Yarranton on 01299 403835 or 07780 824113.