SINGLES in the city will be able to have a smashing time in Worcester today - St Valentine's Day - to help put their relationship break-up behind them.

Royal Worcester will be reviving an old Worcestershire tradition where lonely hearts write the name of their ex-partner on a plate and throw it as hard as they can over their shoulder.

They will then sweep up the broken pieces and put them in a bin - which according to Worcestershire relationship counsellor Alison Smith, will help break emotional ties and help find new love in the year ahead.

She said: "Sometimes people find it hard to move on from a previous relationship and get stuck in repeating thought patterns. By making a symbolic gesture such as this, it can help people to shift into a different mental gear."

Three local lonely hearts who have recently broken up with their partner put the ritual to the test with plates supplied by Royal Worcester. The event, organised by Royal Worcester and Destination Worcestershire, which promotes tourism