Diggers move in at station

The Beech Tree Road building is being demolished to make way for a residential development. Norton Canes-based Craig Watts Developments is set to build a block of 25 flats on the site which backs onto the magistrates court.

Mr Watts said: "We have started to demolish the site and will then be starting on the building work. "It should all be complete in about 14 months time. It will be a very nice high quality development of two-bedroom flats which we believe will also solve a problem in the area where there have been youths gathering and vandalism."

Builders clearing the way for the new residential development have been told to keep an eye out for a vital piece of history.

Cheslyn Hay resident Gordon Illidge, now 73, who was involved in the building of the ambulance station 55 years ago revealed that a time capsule was enclosed in the structure.

He said: "The station was built in 1952 by F and EV Linford Ltd and I was one of the bricklayers there.

"But before the building was completed a time capsule was put inside it.

"It was a bottle. I can't remember exactly what was in it but I know all of us who worked on the building signed a piece of paper and this was put in."

He added: "I am sorry to see the ambulance station go.

"I know it to be a good, strong building and it is a pity something could not have been done with it.

"But I thought the workers there now should be aware of this time capsule and I hope they find it."