Raymond Wright with the well in his Barming garden

by Andy Gray

We all need a crutch to lean on from time to time.

But it was a most delicate part of the anatomy that saved Barming resident Raymond Wright from disappearing down a well he never knew he had.

The retired builder, of Heath Road, was "clearing up" an old shed in his back garden when his feet were suddenly swept from beneath him.

The 77-year-old found himself stuck in a most ungainly position with his left leg down the well and his "midriff" stopping him from falling further.

Grandad-of-three Mr Wright said: "If it wasn't for my crotch I could still be down that hole now - it stopped me going right through.

"I've lived here 43 years and I had no idea our garden had a well - I do now, though."

Mr Wright's disappearing act took place last Thursday after knocking down a shed in the 45ft garden at the end-of-terrace home he shares with his 79-year-old wife Sheila.

Having stumbled to his feet and rediscovered his composure, the thankfully uninjured gardener pointed a torch down the brick-lined well which he estimated to be 2ft wide at the top and at least 8ft deep.

"if it wasn't for my crotch i could still be down that hole now - it stopped me going right through…” – raymond wright

Mr Wright, who also has two children, said: "I phoned the council and they asked if I was going to leave it open.

"But there's a public right of way at the back of my house so there would've been a lot of rules and regulations to comply with."

To ensure Dad didn't fall "right up to his middle" for a second time, Mr Wright's builder son Paul, 42, made safe the area around the offending hole.

To offset the misfortune, it would be nice to report a mythical pot of gold was discovered wallowing in the murky depths of the disused water carrier.

But potential well-wishers will be wasting their time, as Mr Wright explained.

"I've had a good look and I'm not sure there's even any water down there," he said.