DESPITE the general economic gloom shopkeepers in Bromsgrove had reported having a good Christmas. Woolworths enjoyed record toy sales, while Tesco and Fine Fare had also done brisk business.

A DERAILMENT at Barnt Green, where three empty petrol tankers had broken free from a freight train, brought travel chaos to the area. One wagon had ripped up part of the track and demolished a workman's hut before landing in Fiery Hill Road. A bus shuttle service had been brought in to ferry passengers.

THERE was widespread opposition to three proposed new housing developments in Bromsgrove by residents who believed they would be detrimental to the environment. They were at Linthurst Newtown, on land at Lickey End Farm in Alcester Road and on 80 acres of prime farmland adjacent to Harwood Park.

KEY Markets supermarket, which employed a staff of 32, announced it was pulling out of Bromsgrove because of stiff competition from Fine Fare, which had the advantage cheap parking on its doorstep. The move followed the recent departure from the town of Macfisheries, the Co-op foodstore and Pricerite.