Shock as wall is demolished

Two pensioners were left stunned after Sandwell Homes workers knocked down part of a wall outside their West Bromwich home without warning, leaving them with bricks scattered on their driveway.

Great great grandparents Edith and Eric Woodfield said they answered the door to a Sandwell Homes worker who told them there had been a complaint it was dangerous. But as a result of the work the couple have been left with bricks scattered over the front drive of their home in Margaret Street.

Mrs Woodfield, aged 83, said: "I was in rather a state. The man told me the wall was a hazard but I didn't think anything was wrong with it. We had bricks all over our garden. It's made a real mess."

The couple's son Keith Woodfield said: "Surely if such a complaint had been made a letter should have been sent stating the case and giving us time to reply?"

Sandwell Council spokesman Simon Hackett said: "The wall was taken down as it was deemed to be in a potentially dangerous condition and it is being rebuilt on Thursday at no cost to the owners."