WHEN vandals smashed down part of her wall she was devastated, but today pensioner Vera Smith is all smiles.Destroyed by vandals earlier this month the 80ft wall left Vera with a bill worth hundreds after her insurers told her they would not pay out.

WHEN vandals smashed down part of her wall she was devastated, but today pensioner Vera Smith is all smiles.

Destroyed by vandals earlier this month the 80ft wall left Vera with a bill worth hundreds after her insurers told her they would not pay out.

Then 90-year-old Vera had some good news as generous Ipswich builders Rust and Kemp stepped in with an offer of help.

Noticing Vera's plight after it was highlighted in The Evening Star Rust and Kemp contracts manager Mark Keinzley decided to give Vera an early Christmas present and rebuild the wall.

Mr Keinzley said: "It's Christmas and the season of goodwill. It is lovely to help someone out every now and again and especially at this time of year."

So Rust and Kemp, of Nacton Road, Ipswich, sent along two builders on Monday, December 20, to repair the wall.

Mr Keinzley said: "We had a wasted day on December 17 due to bad weather but on Monday it was fine and the lads only took a day to repair it."

The Victorian wall had been pushed over in two places.

Mr Keinzley added: "We were able to use most of the original materials and get the job done."

Rust and Kemp was founded in 1973.

Vera, of Hackney Road, today spoke of her delight and gratitude to the firm.

She said: "It is lovely, it is a marvellous Christmas present. They have done a marvellous job, I am very pleased with it."

Vera was today looking forward to celebrating Christmas with her family without the niggling worry of repairing the broken wall.

She added: "It only took a day and you couldn't ask for a better team. We were so lucky. We couldn't have afforded to repair it ourselves."

Suffolk police have since arrested and bailed two teenage boys in connection with the wrecking spree, which caused damage worth thousands of pounds to windows, cars, fences, and Vera's wall, in the Turnpike Lane area of the village.

Do you have a heart-warming story to tell? Has someone shown you festive kindness you didn't expect? Let us know. Write to Your Letters, Evening Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, IP4 1AN or send us an e-mail to eveningstarletters@eveningstar.co.uk