REDDITCH Urban District Council is to protest strongly about the decision to close the Abbey Hostel on November 12, and will ask the Ministry to reverse their decision.

If the Ministry prove adamant, the council will ask for the closure to be postponed until 12 months from now.

They are to ask the Ministry to receive a deputation to discuss this and other aspects of the question.

These decisions were taken at Monday's meeting of the council.

It was also agreed at the meeting that, in providing the question of trying to make an alternative arrangement, the council should consult the Redditch District Manufacturers' Association and Abbey Hostel Residents' Committee, and other listed parties.