A TOP Conservative politician was shown a scale model of the new Worcester University campus on his visit to the city.

David Willetts, shadow cabinet member for innovation, universities and skills, met the university's vice-chancellor Professor David Green to discuss the campus development plans.

He praised the £120 million project on the old Royal Infirmary site in Castle Street and said: "It is right that more and more young people should aspire to go to university and it is great that Worcester is catering for that. I want every young person who could benefit from going to university to have that opportunity."

He also praised the modern architecture of the planned buildings. As reported in your Worcester News, Worcester City Council has launched an investigation into the impact of the university on life in the city.

"The growth of a university does have an impact on a city and there are pressures, but it seems to me that the councillors are committed to the university and see it as very important," he said.