A BATCHLEY woman has found old plans for Redditch town centre which are believed to have been drawn up in the 1800s.

Barbara Bakewell, of Pitcheroak Cottages, found the parchment draft about two weeks ago while she was moving house.

Her late husband, Stan, worked for Redditch Council from 1945-1982, and saved the document from being destroyed when the offices moved from Salop Road to Kingfisher House.

Mrs Bakewell said: "They are probably from the 1800s because although Alcester Street is clearly marked, there is no Palace Theatre and that was opened in 1913."

The plans show the town centre as mostly fields, cottages and allotments, but there were also several large, unidentified buildings priced between a few hundred and a few thousand pounds.

The buildings ran either side of Silver Street, near Dunn's Close allotments, Fox and Goose field, Fox and Goose Hotel and Clarke's Mills, which was known as Clarke's Yard.

Mrs Bakewell said: "Stan thought it would be a pity if the plans were destroyed so he brought them home and I completely forgot about them until I came across them two weeks ago.

"It would be interesting if anyone could shed some light on the subject, but those who may know what the plans are could be more than 100 years old."

Also depicted is St Stephen's Church, The Red Lion Inn, Red Lion Street, Herbert Street, George Street, Evesham Street and Walford Street.