A BUNGLED DIY job by a mystery Good Samaritan has forced a Stroud church to maintain an open door policy - whether it wants to or not.

The would-be handyman caused chaos at the Congregational Church in Bedford Street by cementing an ornamental pyramid on top of the gatepost at a lopsided angle, preventing the gate from closing.

And now the church has had to employ someone to rectify the damage, as it fears the heavy iron gates could swing open and knock out a pedestrian.

Church secretary Roger Clarke said he thought the 'repairs' may have been undertaken after a motorist hit the pillar, dislodging the cap stone.

"It's frustrating as much as anything because somebody's taken the time and trouble to fix it," he said.

"It's unusual in this day and age to find someone who is prepared to fix something after they have broken it instead of just driving off and leaving someone else to worry about it.

"We can only open the gate so far and before it gets stuck on this cap stone, but we need to be able to shut it a bit further to get it on the catch. "Otherwise it blows in the wind and one person has already had their car window damaged.

"Yesterday, there were some fairly brisk winds blowing around the place. If it hits your car it's going to leave a dent at the very least.

"It could even knock an elderly person off balance."

Mr Clarke has already contacted Gloucestershire County Council and Stroud District Council, but both are denying the handiwork was theirs.

*Can you solve the gate post mystery? Contact SNJ reporter Alli Pyrah on 01453 769423.