A SELF-imposed ban on watching television by a Kidderminster family of seven is reaping huge rewards.

Andy and Kate Lane and their five children aged between four and 11 took a unilateral decision to switch off the TV for good on New Year's Eve.

Three months on and the family not only feels closer but is looking forward to their first holiday in three years - thanks to the money they are saving.

The family was prompted to speak out following a Shuttle/Times and News "View On The Street" feature quizzing members of the public on whether they could cope without "the box".

The family ended their contract with a cable company, informed the TV licensing authorities and opened a separate account to pay in their savings on line rental and licence fees. Sophie Lane, nine, Laura, 11, Mum Kate, four-year-old Christopher, Emily, seven, Dad Andy and Jessica, six who have given up watching television.

The couple are enjoying spending more time with their children and Mrs Lane has become a fan of making things with salt dough!

Craft kits which were previously gathering dust are being completed by the children and mum and dad have no problem persuading them to read.

Mrs Lane said: "We are not bombarded with depressing - and often gratuitous - news images. We are kept informed through newspapers.

"The children no longer lapse into American accents. Phrases like 'gee ma'am, 'doh!' and 'don't have a cow, man!' are no longer part of their vocabulary".

Laura, 11, Sophie, nine, Emily, seven, Jessica, six and four-year-old Christopher have even agreed to mothball their PlayStation.

They are enjoying playing outside and have taken up gardening at their Wolverhampton Road home.

Mrs Lane added: "People have been astounded, a lot said we'd never do it. But we have and we really don't miss it. We do more things together and we talk more to each other as well.

"A lot of things we are doing are teaching the children at the same time. I think TV is vastly over-rated as an educational tool.

"From my own point of view the greatest blessing has been the newly acquired time and the general feeling of calm."

Mrs Lane, who works part-time at Kidderminster College, said quite a few people she had told agreed it was a good idea, but none had followed their example - yet.

She and Andy, a student teacher, have not been able to afford to take their children away for a few years and are now looking forward to a beach holiday in Wales.

"When I'm sat on a Welsh beach watching the children enjoy their first holiday for three years, there will be nothing that will convince me giving up the box was a bad decision," added Mrs Lane.