BROMSGROVE District Council can at last blow its own trumpet after drumming up cash from local firms to help pay for its controversial jubilee bandstand.

When it was first proposed, the idea of erecting a £50,000 bandstand in Sanders Park to mark the Queen's golden jubilee was met with strong opposition not only from many residents and Labour councillors, but privately by some Tory councillors.

Fears were also raised that it would be a prime target for vandals.

But it has now emerged that some of the construction costs will be shouldered by businesses in the form of sponsorship.

It will be sited far enough away from homes and Kidderminster Road so as not to become a nuisance and to avoid traffic noise and in a bid to thwart vandals two CCTV cameras will cover it.

Cllr Terri Matthews (Con. Furlongs), cabinet member for recreation and leisure, said the work to construct the heavy-duty steel structured bandstand is on target to be completed in time for the opening by Lord and Lady Cobham on June 3.

Declining at present to name the sponsors or how much has been donated, she said: "A fair chunk of the cost is being met by local businesses and they will be acknowledged on the bandstand itself."

But Labour group leader Cllr Peter McDonald (Uffdown and Waseley) who has dubbed it the "vandalstand," commented that tax payers will still have to pick up the bill for the lion's share of the structure and the ongoing maintenance costs.