ADVANTAGE Alcester has pledged £400 to help train new bakers for the town's WI Market.

The market, which sells home-baked goods every Friday morning, is desperately short of suppliers and the funding is an attempt to recruit more by paying for their essential food hygiene training courses.

This is one of a number of new initiatives sponsored by Advantage Alcester, which was formed just more than a year ago through the Government's market town regeneration programme.

A grant of £1,700 has recently been awarded to the Christmas lights and projects in the pipeline include improved biking facilities in and around the town, walking guides and a Heritage Trail leaflet.

The achievements so far are celebrated in a new, six-page colour brochure in which chairman Lise Evans says: "We are now in year two of a four-year Market Towns Programme and have planned a series of key projects to expand and improve the facilities and services in the area.

"We aim to make real improvements to the town centre for the benefit of all who live, work or visit.

"We recognise the importance of listening to the community and have consulted through a range of meetings, surveys and individual consultations.

"It is essential that local people should continue to steer the work of Advantage Alcester."

Ms Evans added: "Alcester is a great place to live. It has a vibrant community spirit and warm heart.

"We need to ensure this continues by making the most of our assets and providing the infrastructure for continued growth and prosperity for all."