Church's burial deal for builder Bert, 89

A retired builder who helped put up pubs across the Black Country has died, aged 89.

Codsall-born Bert Catling worked on pubs, including the Travellers Rest in Great Bridge Road, Bilston, and the Waggon & Horses in Cannock Road, Wolverhampton.

However his family say one of his biggest career achievements was repairing the tower of Codsall's St Nicholas Church in 1967.

The work involved taking down all the pinnacles and seven courses of stone as one of the pinnacles was out of line by about eight inches. The pain-staking project took about eight weeks to complete.

Due to his efforts at the time, his son Michael, 54, told today how the church has made a special concession allowing him to be buried there, despite not living in the parish.

Mr Catling, of Barclays Close, Albrighton, worked for 44 years for the Henry Willcock building firm, based in Darlington Street, Wolverhampton.

The company had a contract with Banks's Brewery to build pubs.

Divorcee Mr Catling died from renal failure on Sunday at the Princess Royal Hospital in Telford.

Michael Catling said his father's funeral would be held on Thursday at 11.45am, and friends and former colleagues are invited to attend.