A BUILDER says he won’t be put off by Heritage experts who dismissed his plan to get volunteers to repair Colchester Castle’s crumbling walls.

Mick Bates came up with his novel plan to repair the castle’s walls after the Gazette reported on the lack of funding to get the work under way.

He suggested recruiting a team of volunteers to do the work, with builders being asked to donate materials.

English Heritage, which would need to give permission for any repair work, swiftly dismissed the isea as unfeasible, but Mr Bates is adamant it would work.

The 66-year-old Bates Roofing and Construction boss said: “Nothing is impossible. Whatever they say, at the end of the day it’s a building. What special conditions and what special materials do they need?

“What are they going to cover it with? Gold, or something? The materials are available and it’s not rocket science.”

Mr Bates said only yesterday he was approached by a stone mason who offered his services free of charge. He had been overwhelmed by the public response to his plan, he added.

English Heritage’s Debbie Priddy said: “This is an imaginative solution, but it is not appropriate, because of the age and construction of the castle.

“We are aware further repairs are needed. Colchester Castle is Grade I listed and a scheduled monument, so Colchester Council will be seeking consent from English Heritage for the necessary repairs. The materials needed to maintain the medieval fabric are quite specialised so the work would need to be done by specialist craftsmen.”

Colchester Council’s museums service, which is responsible for the 1,000-year-old monument, also said the repair work was not as straightforward as it might seem. It is not yet known how much the work would cost.

Nick Barlow, councillor responsible for commerce and sustainability, said: “We’re delighted at the number of people who have come forward to help repair the castle.

“When we have full details of what is required, we will see how they can be involved in the repairs.

“We want to make use of their energy and motivation as much as possible, but we are bound by the law and the requirements of English Heritage.”