THE lawless hour - when people threw cabbage stalks and apples at each other in the streets of Kidderminster - is one of many colourful old customs referred to in the latest book by historian, Don Gilbert.

This chaos happened on the election of bailiffs - who carried out similar roles to those of mayors now - in the hour between the previous one stepping down and the successor taking up the post and only ended in the 19th century after it became increasingly violent.

Mr Gilbert described the lawless hour as "a strange ceremony" and said happenings like it meant he had enjoyed putting Town and Borough: A Civic History of Kidderminster together.

"It was hard work, but fun," he explained, adding his fifth book was not a general history of Kidderminster but its civic institutions.

The town hall features heavily, as well as people and places connected with the government of the town, which are traced back to the Domesday Book of 1086.

The contents include chapters on Kidderminster life, schools and visitors to Kidderminster, including the widow of King William IV - Queen Adelaide - in 1843, Winston Churchill in 1904 and Queen Elizabeth II in 1957.

"There are many other things dealt with, for example the town's cloth and carpet industry, and some of the customs of Kidderminster," Mr Gilbert went on, adding he had used a variety of sources, taken mainly from Worcestershire records office and Kidderminster Library.

The retired Latin and English teacher, who has been an amateur historian for the last 30 years, said he was also greatly helped by the present charter trustees, particularly associate town clerk, Martin Fellows.

Copies of the book can be purchased from the library or by calling 01562 751632.