RESIDENTS in Harwood Park, Bromsgrove, were upset at the prospect of a huge estate being built near their homes. An action group had been set up to fight a plan to build 650 houses in the green belt on top grade agricultural land bordered by their estate, the Lickey incline and Stratford Road. Residents reasoned that with Garringtons having to shed staff and the jobs market generally in the doldrums no-one would want to buy the new homes.

AN investigation was underway after a mix up of patients at Bromsgrove General Hospital resulted in a boy being operated on in error. The lad had been admitted for a simple ear op, but the surgeon had started to incise his stomach before the mistake was realised. The wound was stitched and the boy's mother, who was waiting anxiously outside, was given the news.

BROMSGROVE'S own lottery, run by the district council in conjunction with Wyre Forest, was about to be relaunched again after a break. Now the major prize would be £1,000 with seven prizes of £100, three of £50 and a portable TV.