TOWNSFOLK were warned by churchmen that Bromsgrove could be in danger of losing a £250,000 church centre. Methodist leaders were concerned that unless they made progress in the negotiations for a town centre site, the multi-purpose community project may have to be scrapped. Church leaders wanted to put a community centre on the old Almhouses site in Stratford Road but the council wanted to turn it into a car park. A spokesman for the church said there was nothing for young people to do in Bromsgrove so a community centre would be more useful.

THE petrol crisis continued but there were mixed reports from about the district about its extent. Some garages were reporting business as usual, while others had trickling supplies. In desperation, motorists were defying manufacturers' guidelines by using two-star petrol instead of the recommended four-star. Ron Turford, manager of Bromsgrove Motors, said: "If it's a case of any port in a storm then lower octane fuel will get you home but it's not to be recommended."

OIL shortages across the district were having effects in some unusual places. The council was giving urgent consideration to the changing the heating system at the town's swimming pool from oil to gas. Heating the pool had cost £26,000 in the last year. District councillor Maurice Broomfield said: "It seems as if the oil crisis may be with us for some time and gas supplies will be more reliable in the next 20 years."