HERE we were all ready to criticise a cash-strapped Malvern Hills District Council for flying in the face of public opinion by approving plans for flats on the Treasurer's site in Malvern town centre, when councillors took us by surprise and refused planning permission.

With the plans recommended for approval by officers and the council hoping to sell the site, we had quite expected the plans to be approved despite over 100 letters of objection. So too had the applicants FCH Housing and Care, understandably after 18 months of negotiations with council officers to get the plans right.

So it's a pat on the back to the council for putting public opinion first, with a word of warning to the public that your Council Tax will go up.

Demand for tickets to the Malvern Gazette & Ledbury Reporter's free Christmas film show this year has somewhat taken us by surprise and exceeded all previous records.

We had sold out the 400-seat Malvern Cinema in a week. Malvern Theatres have now kindly offered us use of the Forum, with an extra 150 seats, so everyone who has sent in vouchers should now get a seat.

So thank you to everyone for taking such an interest and if for any reason you think you may not be able to take up your seat for Chocolat on Friday, December 14, could you please return your ticket to our Malvern office where we can guarantee someone else will be happy to have it.