THE house price rise in Bromsgrove had finally begun to slow down, but last year's increase had still been 24 per cent. The average price of a house in the district was now £22,298.

AN idea to restart Bromsgrove's carnival was being considered and the Bromsgrove Society was one organisation being lined up to organise it. However, its chairman John Foster, from Lydiate Ash, said rather than the event standing alone it may be better linked with the Fair Day.

BROMSGROVE regained the multi-sport West Mercia Games trophy from the only other competitor, Wyre Forest, at the weekend to give the town its fourth win in five years. Redditch had decided not to take part this year.

BARNT Green woman Anna Wearing, aged 24, from Mearse Lane, had beaten all odds by achieving double honours with an upper second in French and German at Manchester University. Anna had gone blind as a toddler and had to have all her books and study work in Braille.