February 23, 1979.

A 12TH century pond has scuppered plans to build a £20,000 annexe to Redditch fire station in Birmingham Road.

Dormitories to accommodate 12 firemen had to be demolished halfway through construction because of a mix-up of building regulations.

Inspectors visiting the site after work had begun found the extension was being built on ground that had been filled in, contravening the law.

Local historians say the filled ground was a mill pond developed by the monks from nearby Bordesley Abbey in the 12th century.

Earlier this century, the council filled in the pond by using it as a rubbish tip.