KIDDERMINSTER is still in the throes of an ice cream war despite four salesmen being prosecuted, Worcester Crown Court was told.

Three men pleaded guilty to affray by threatening violence on the day they were due to stand trial by jury.

Judge Anthony King asked barristers if there was still "open warfare" in the town.

Defence counsel Geoffrey Clough confirmed trouble was still going on and revealed that his client, Renato Gualano, had been forced to change his job and no longer operated in Kidderminster.

Gualano, 28, of Masefield Gardens, Kidderminster, his 62-year-old father Benito, and Stuart Hudson, 21, both of Hurcott Road, Kidderminster, were remanded on bail for pre-sentence reports.

They changed their pleas after initially denying they had caused Michael Hartshorne to fear for his personal safety.

Prosecutor Graham Henson told the court that Hartshorne was also being prosecuted.

The judge asked if conditions could be imposed on trading licences to ensure there was no recurrence of trouble.

Tim Harrington, for Benito Gualano, said the people involved had been advised to contact solicitors about franchise arrangements.

The judge warned the defendants that any further trouble could well be reflected in the sentences when they are passed next month. All sentencing options were open, although the three were of previous good character.

"Fair competition is one thing, stupidity is not," the judge commented.