A PARTY held by Worcester architect Roger Ainley to celebrate one year in practice went with a bang.

Mr Ainley, who is also a town planner, welcomed more than 70 clients, associates and friends to Friday lunchtime drinks at his Sansome Walk practice.

Mr Ainley's partners, Fred Payne and Doug Wills, meanwhile, were celebrating 10 years in business.

"It proved to be a very convivial occasion and we hope to repeat the event in the future," said Mr Ainley.

n A free Wills Day held at Redditch law firm Browning & Co, meanwhile, raised £330 for charity.

Legal staff gave up their Saturday to write straightforward wills free of charge, in return for a donation to Children in Need and the American Disaster Relief Fund.

Browning & Co senior partner, Paul Broad, said it was a "great effort" by all concerned.

"We'd like to thank those who dropped in to take advantage of our free will offer for their generosity," he said.

n For those in the building sector, national house builder Barratt is looking for subcontractors for work in the two counties.

The West Midlands division is looking for businesses specialising in plastering, plumbing, joinery, electrical work and roof-tiling.

The company is already building on a wide variety of sites in the West Midlands - including Droitwich - with most sites recycled "brownfield" land.

"Many people think Barratt is a bit of a closed shop using national-scale subcontractors but the truth is, we want and need businesses from the communities in which we work," said managing director, John Payne.

Telephone 0121 585 5303 for more information.