WORCESTER City Council is going to investigate why more women do not stand as candidates in local elections.

Bosses at the Tory-led authority want to attract more females to the ranks, and are going to examine how other local authorities shape up. There are currently no female cabinet members at the city council, and only seven women councillors compared to 28 men.

At Gloucester City Council, there are 14 female councillors from a total of 36 and one female cabinet member.

The wish to change the male-orientated state of local politics in Worcester has been revealed in a new gender equality scheme' at the Guildhall. It contains an action plan to the year 2010 which cites having more women councillors in the community is a key aim.

Coun Lucy Hodgson is the only female councillor in the controlling Tory group, and currently serves as deputy Mayor. Coun Margaret Layland, who has been a political activist in Worcester for 25 years and a councillor for 15, said it would be welcomed.

She said: "I'm in favour of anything that encourages women to put themselves forward, whether that's as a councillor or in staff positions. "In my 15 years as a councillor, there haven't been any barriers put in front of women, it's just that some women don't put themselves forward.

"Under-represented groups, like women and ethnic minorities, do need to be encouraged, although I'm not in favour of things like all-women shortlists."

Coun Pam Clayton, a Labour councillor for three years, said: "I think the media has a key role to play in making women aware of what being a councillor is like. It has never affected my family life, because it's all about time management. If more women could come forward it would be great."

The Tory party tried to add another female councillor to its ranks at the local elections in May, but failed to do so after candidate Melanie Heider was beaten in the Arboretum ward by Labour councillor Marc Bayliss.

Three days before election night, we reported how Ms Heider had joined the UK Independence Party in secret.

Coun Dave Clark, the cabinet member responsible for the pledge, said: "I don't know whether it's something we can legislate for, because all-women shortlists are wrong. We will look at what other councils are doing though, to see if we can get ideas on why there are fewer women than men."