Madonna's 'Vogue' all the rage on school disco dancefloors, inflation at 9.4% – the highest level for eight years and agriculture Minister John Gummer trying to feed a hamburger to his 5-year-old daughter as the BSE crisis hit the headlines, but fox hunting was in the headlines in Bridgwater 20 years ago on May 23, 1990.

SOMERSET ended its legal battle to ban hunting by deciding against taking its historic case to the highest court in the land.

County councillors voted overwhelmingly to back a motion that no appeal should be made to the House of Lords – but the issue would be kept under review.

The ruling Liberal Democrats said the decision was not an admission of defeat and said it would only be fair to continue the fight if the full cost of the appeal could be met by pledges from other councils and supporters.

12 Sedgemoor pub landladies were preparing to get on their bikes for a charity cycle ride.
The fundraising members of the Sedgemoor Auxiliary of the Ladies of the Licensed Trade were taking part in a birthday bike ride starting from Secret World in East Huntspill.
They were gearing up to cycle along a 36-mile route to mark the 36th birthday of the auxiliary’s chairman Geraldine Paisey, and to raise funds for the Bluebell Sett Wildlife Appeal.