MALVERN'S mayor and deputy mayor are to attend a workshop to help brush up their skills on handling the media.

The one-day workshop, called "Managing The Media Interview", will teach them how to spot media tactics and avoid potential pitfalls.

It will provide tuition in how to handle every possible form of interview, from local press to national television.

And it comes at a cost of some £300 to the town's Council Taxpayers.

The workshop is the latest in a line of courses organised by the West Midlands Local Government Association (WMLGA). They are arranged for the benefit of public officials who have to represent their organisations under the media spotlight.

"It's not about putting across one message in particular," said Garth Wood, head of continuous communications improvement at WMLGA.

"We don't take them to one side and tell them how to put spin on events.

"Some people get very nervous in front of cameras and in interview situations, and then they confuse their message and don't manage to get it across.

"The course is all about enabling people to get their message across clearly, honestly and professionally."

The mayor and deputy mayor will take part in role-playing situations that are recorded on video or tape. They will then watch their own performances and identify strengths and weaknesses to develop or counteract. The course takes place on September 21.

Deputy mayor Frances Victory said: "We're going to be in the hot seat and we need all the help we can get.

"The role of town councils has been expanded in a recent White Paper, so councillors in general are going to have to deal more with the media.

"Although I didn't know I would be doing this when I became a councillor, I'm looking forward to it. It should be very interesting."