POOR publicity was to blame for the Bromsgrove Town Lottery having to fold it was claimed. The decision had come at a time when the government was cutting back on spending and the district council could have put the revenue it generated to good use. In just over two years since its launch the lottery had raised £50,000 for local good causes.

THE strapped-for-cash county council was considering axing 500 jobs in a bid to save £3.5m a year, a secret report revealed. Among the casualties would be teachers and social workers. They would be offered the choice of taking voluntary redundancy or early retirement with up to 10 years being added to their pensions.

RUBERY artist Michael Richardson from Meadowfield Road was successful in winning the Birmingham Spring Festival Painting Prize for the second year running. His picture of the Boat and Railway pub at Stoke Works would be put on show with 100 others in Cannon Hill Park.

A PLEA by Bromsgrove Photographic Society for female nude models had resulted in a terrific response. The photographers had been forced to advertise because local girls were coy about offering their services. Two Miss ATV contestants were among those who showed an interest.

BUSBY, the telephone bird, was the star attraction at Catshill First School fete, which raised a bumper £750 for its funds. The Bluebird toffee hot air balloon was also a big draw.