February 22, 1980

REDDITCH'S brave fire fighting team blazed a frantic trail to Woodrow when they got a message that a factory fire alarm had been triggered off.

Blue lights flashing, sirens wailing, the gallant crew arrived at Harrison Brothers in Pipers Road.

Within seconds they donned breathing apparatus and were in the building ready to do their dangerous duty.

But instead of billowing smoke and flames, the intrepid crew were greeted by cool, calm and collected shop floor and office staff who had just successfully completed the first weekly regulation fire drill.

For as automatic alarms screamed the signal that the bathroom fittings firm was ablaze, Worcester fire had forgotten to tell the local brigade it was only a drill.