A ROSS-on-Wye folly which has been converted into a luxury home opened its doors to the public last weekend to raise money for charity.

Gazebo Tower on Royal Parade was bought by jazz musician and businessman Tony Billingham in 2001 for £40,000.

Work on the site started last summer and, since then, a steady stream of curious local people and tourists have been eager to have a look around.

Mr Billingham said: “Over the past months we have been inundated by people wanting to see what we are doing.

Just last week 13 German tourists opened the door and came in because they thought it was a tourist attraction.”

The building which has panoramic views across the River Wye is divided into four levels.

On the ground floor is the kitchen, with the lounge on the second floor and the bedroom on the floor above.

In a clever spacesaving idea, a jacuzzi bath pulls out from under the bed.

A spiral staircase leads to a glass dome, which is opened via two electric motors, at the very top of the tower.

Mr Billingham added: “It’s a remarkable building that has been part of Ross-on-Wye since 1883 when it was built as a viewing point.

“I am very privileged to be the owner of this unique, luxury home but with it comes responsibility.

Gazebo Tower was in a sad state of neglect when I bought it, but the restoration work done here has secured its place as a historical landmark for a long time to come.”

Mr Billingham, is also a partner in the Halesowen-based Carton Care Group, which owns nursing and residential homes across the Black Country and asked visitors to donate to the Merton House Holiday Hotel, which is 500 yards from the folly and specialises in respite breaks.