Transport Minister is toast of county

LITTLE-known Transport Minister Keith Hill is the toast of Worcestershire.

He is planning to cut the first sod, if invited, for the start of the Wyre Piddle bypass.

Mid-Worcestershire Tory MP Peter Luff has campaigned for years for this road and was delighted when Mr Hill announced its go-ahead.

Mr Hill also included an amendment put forward by Worcester Labour MP Mike Foster in the Transport Bill to give lollipop ladies greater powers.

This will enable them to help all people, not just pupils, across the road.

He's definitely Worcestershire's favourite minister, says Mr Foster.

Mistaken for Billy Connolly!

NEW Speaker Michael Martin held a reception for the Press in his plush quarters inside the Commons this week.

The magnificent rooms overlooking the Thames make 10 Downing Street look a bit like a cramped, mid-terrace house.

Glasgow Labour MP Mr Martin was amused when an American journalist working for Reuters introduced himself and commented that he had a strong accent.

He thought it a cheek from someone with an equally distinct accent.

But he had to admit he had in the past been mistaken for comedian Billy Connolly.

Protester's painful piercing

PETER Luff attended a poetry slam recently.

One of the poets was a roads protester called Wizard.

He was an extremely colourful character and his literary efforts told of the pain he suffered when he had a part of his anatomy pierced which was not his ear, nose or lip.

It was such an experience that he had trouble for days responding to calls of nature.

I don't think he'll be protesting at the building of the Wyre Piddle bypass, mused Mid-Worcestershire Tory MP Mr Luff.