Symbolic moment in wall's removal

Eric Johns was born in a house in the area now behind the wall

A Plymouth community which was divided by the Ministry of Defence more than 40 years ago will start back towards reunification on Saturday.

For decades a high wall has screened off some of Devonport's most historic civic buildings.

Now a small section of the wall is to be removed at a special ceremony.

Coaches will take people from Granby Gate at 1300 BST into the enclave for the special ceremony.

The wall will bring new life back as it comes down Eric Johns

English Partnerships bought the 18-acre site from the Ministry of Defence (MoD) for £5m in July.

After World War II the Admiralty took over a large swathe of the old town of Devonport and the wall was built as the Royal Navy dockyard expanded in the early 1960s.

Now it will be demolished in stages as regeneration of the area progresses.

About 500 new homes are planned for the site as well as a healthcare centre, supermarket, shops and offices.

Eric Johns, who was born in a house in the area now behind the wall, is one of the many who have campaigned for it to be removed.

"That wall is oppressive and has brought isolation to Devonport," he said.

"I'm delighted to think that the younger people, with the wall coming down, will have a different Devonport to what we've had for the last 60 years,

"It's been a really sad place but the wall will bring new life back as it comes down."

Bill Banister, 87, will remove the first stones from the wall during Saturday's ceremony.