A TOWN that was once one of the most flooded in England is ready to write itself a bright new chapter, its MP believes.

West Worcestershire MP Harriett Baldwin visited Upton-upon-Severn to have a look at some of the initiatives going on to boost the town’s economy following the completion of a new £4.5m flood defence scheme.

Worcestershire County Council is currently spending £400,000 on improving roads and pavements in the town centre. A new tourist information centre has opened up alongside the heritage centre in the historic Pepperpot and the waterside Kings Head pub, which has been empty for almost six months, is set to reopen its doors before Easter. Mrs Baldwin said she was particularly impressed with the efforts of traders and local officials to develop a new “brand image” for the town.

The branding, which has been developed with students from the University of Worcester, has been on display for residents and will be used in promotional material as well as by businesses and shopkeepers.

“This new Upton logo will go a long way to help present a fresh face for the town and I am sure it will look great in posters, merchandise and even paper bags,” Mrs Baldwin said.

News of the Kings Head re-opening has come as particular relief to people in Upton.

Town councillor Mike Ostick was so concerned it would still be empty at the start of Upton’s busy summer tourist season that he had written to its owner Enterprise Inns.

He said: “The Kings Head is in a very prominent position on our great new riverside walk and the last thing that we wanted was a big ‘to let’ sign right in the middle of it.”

Former landlord Grahame Bunn, who left last year to concentrate on his other town business, the Anchor Inn, said: “It will be very good to see the Kings Head open again.”