WORCESTER businessman and Tory-in-disguise Neil Westwood enjoyed his festive period by splashing out £84,000 on Margaret Thatcher's robes at an auction - a dream possession for any Iron Lady fanatic.

But despite rebuffing offers from crazy Koreans to sell it on for a staggering £150,000 it appears our man can't give it away on these shores.

Neil has offered London's Victoria and Albert Museum the chance to put the historic garments on temporary display for free, only for bosses at the world-famous venue to politely decline, without any explanation why.

What would Maggie say about this?

* MIND you museum experts aren't the only ones distancing themselves from the former premier's furry robes - even Neil's wife isn't a luvvie.

"Laura's not speaking to me at the moment, she's Labour," he says.

"I'm going to say she's got to wear it."

The Lady is not for turning!

* IT was one heck of a Christmas at County Hall, where Councillor Adrian Hardman is quitting as leader after his drink driving episode.

If only he'd have spent some time carefully scanning social media before inserting the keys, this tragic hiccup may have been avoided.

Conservative John Campion, a trusted sidekick in the leadership and the party's police and crime commissioner candidate, was warning people about the perils of drink driving on Twitter just before Christmas.

* LABOUR county councillor Joe Baker, a socialist to his core, has had Alan Sugar's autobiography as a Christmas present.

Go on, point to Jeremy Corbyn and say: "You're fired".

* IF you fancy making yourself rich pop down the bookies this morning and put your entire life savings on Councillor Simon Geraghty being elected the new Tory group leader at County Hall before it's too late.

I was thinking of sinking £50,000 into this venture, before deciding it may be corrupt.

PS Can I have half your winnings?

* WHAT many folk don't know is that Councillor Geraghty is a vegetarian, therefore saving many cows during his unstoppable rise to the top.

Talk about steak-ing your claim to the leadership.