THE Government has turned down a request for the Lido buildings in Droitwich Spa to be listed for a second time.

In a letter to town MP Peter Luff, the culture minister, David Lammy, said: "English Heritage has again advised that this salt water lido by Thomas Mawson is not of sufficient interest to merit listing."

The minister included with his letter copies of the detailed decisions in both 2002 and 2005, which Mr Luff will be sharing with the town and district councils and Save a Lido Today (SALT) campaigners.

"The detailed decision letters, which demonstrate that careful attention has been given to the architectural and historical issues, do include a clear recognition of the value local people place on the Lido," said Mr Luff.

He added: "But these two decisions by two different inspectors close the door on the possibility of saving the Lido by listing. Decisions on its future now rest entirely with the town and district councils and their discussions with local campaigners."

SALT spokesman Ian Wild said: "It is unfortunate that listing has been denied a second time yet listing criteria for buildings constructed in the inter-war period are very strict and unfortunately the lido in its current form doesn't quite make the grade as far as completeness is concerned."

He added: "We very much welcome the intervention from English Heritage which firmly states in its report that it would be unfortunate if the lido were substantially altered or destroyed before every means of saving the site had been thoroughly explored.

"I think we must make sure we all study this important report and for this to form a key part of the current consultation process."