A BUILDER who has stepped forward with a no-cost plan to save crumbling Colchester Castle has been inundated with support from the local community.

Mick Bates contacted the Gazette when he read that the 1,000-year-old castle is crumbling and that funding needs to be found to repair it.

Mr Bates, who runs who runs Bates Roofing and Construction, came up with a free plan that would see volunteers recruited to carry out the work and builders’ suppliers donating materials.

He has since received at least 10 phone calls from people offering their help and the Gazette’s website has also had numerous comments posted on it, backing his plan.

“People are even stopping me in the street,” the 66-year-old said.

They have been offering help, advice and materials and Mr Bates has created a database of all those wanting to get involved.

Colchester and Ipswich Museums Service runs the castle and said it is working with English Heritage to find a solution to the crumbling.

It is not yet known how much the work will cost and how long it will take.

Mr Bates said he contacted the Service and hopes they will take his plan on board, without putting obstacles such as insurance and health and safety in the way.

He has said he could give the volunteers health and safety training.

“The heritage people would want it to be done in the proper manor and we want to know what proper manor they want.

“If there are concerns about the quality of the work, why don’t we do a small section of the castle? I do understand their concern but if we do it in a logical way, I can’t see what the problem is.”

Mr Bates, whose company is based in Headgate, estimates the work could take three months.