BROMSGROVE farms could be declared foot and mouth disease free by October -- if all testing is completed.

The National Farmers' Union (NFU) are appealing to farmers to help get more areas free of the disaese by co-operating with testing requests from the Department of Environmental, Food and Rural Affairs.

This will ease livestock movement restrictions and reduce the number of sheep who need routine blood tests.

Chairman of the NFU's Livestock Committee, Les Armstrong, said: "It is important to get restrictions lifted in as many areas as possible before October 1 to reduce the demand for blood tests prior to movement after that date."

Respone to group is

excellent

APPEALS to create a support group for parents of autistic children from Bromsgrove and Droitwich Spa have been met with an overwhelming response, according to the organisers.

An inaugural meeting was held at Worcester's County Hall last week and 43 parents visited Worcestershire County Council's parent partnership unit which organised the event along with the West Midlands Autistic Society.

Parents had the opportunity to discuss what they want from the group.

Themes included access to information, particularly in the early days before diagnosis, counselling for parents and teenage children, what happens after diagnosis, if children are incorrectly diagnosed and what happens after the age of 16.

The parent partnership service's Sue Cain said: "A further meeting will be arranged at a date to be finalised."

For more information, call Sue Cain on (01905) 766341.