THE neglected railings around the war memorial in Callow End, near Worcester, will soon be gleaming with new paint, thanks to two dedicated members of the Royal British Legion.

Standard bearer John Mason and poppy organiser Ray Henley, of the RBL's Powick and Callow End branch, both in their 70s, have already spent around 50 hours chipping, scraping, wire brushing and priming the railings for painting, while another Legion member, who did not want to be named, personally stood the cost of replacing 10 broken rods in the railings.

These men are just some of hundreds of unsung heroes whose selflessness and courage we at the Worcester News are honouring in our recently launched Pride In Worcestershire campaign.

It is estimated that between them, they will have saved Powick Parish Council - and therefore the council taxpayers of the parish - around £2,000 by their voluntary efforts.

The council, which is responsible for both the memorial and railings, is paying about £100 for the materials. Mr Mason, who is a parish councillor, was a painter and decorator by trade. "It's a labour of love. We've clocked up nearly 50 hours so far," he said.

"We've done 90 per cent of the rubbing down and priming and have put the undercoat and gloss on one small section so that we could see how it would look.."

He said the war memorial was cleaned about 10 years ago, but no one seemed to know when the railings were last painted.

If you know someone who makes you proud to live in Worcestershire let us know why by phoning us on 01905 742244 or email wenedit@thisisworcetser.co.uk