AN ELDERLY man with health problems is breathing a sigh of relief after finally having a bench reinstated on a Malvern common after seven years of campaigning.
Seventy-three-year-old Thomas Hooper, of Malvern, first tried to have the bench, on Poolbrook Common, reinstated in 1996 and again in 1999, but without any luck.
It was a vital resting spot for Mr Hooper, who suffers from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and can only walk a few yards before he is out of breath.
However, it was removed by the Malvern Hills Conservators, which looks after 360 seats on the Malvern Hills and its commons, because it was attracting anti-social behaviour.
Heart-strings
But now a single "perch" has been installed at the spot of the old bench, near the Poolbrook shops.
"It'll be all right for me if it's left alone but the thing is, I don't know how long it will be there before someone puts their foot through it," said Mr Hooper.
The "perch" cost less than £100 and was financed by the Conservators' donations fund.
"When I heard about Mr Hooper it tugged my heart-strings and I thought we have got to show our human side by replacing this bench," said John Tretheway of the Malvern Hills Conservators.
"I'm absolutely delighted it's been replaced and I think it will satisfy everybody."
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