CAMPAIGNERS battling to save Droitwich's Lido have claimed two county council candidates lost in the elections because they failed to support the pool.

Former Conservative county councillor Pam Davey lost her Droitwich East seat while Tory hopeful Michael Barratt missed out in Droitwich West - both to Labour candidates.

Pressure group SALT (Save A Lido Today) claimed the results amounted to a protest vote by townspeople against the councillors, who criticised plans to revive the salt water baths.

Ian Wild, SALT spokesman, said: "I would not be at all surprised if the electorate had chosen to punish Coun Barratt and Davey given their outspoken views on the future of the lido.

"I think it is fair to say the issue is becoming one of civic pride, of the trust Droitwich has in its elected representatives...and the need to preserve this nationally important attraction."

Pam Davey, who was named as Wychavon District Council chairman this week, admitted it was a factor in the outcome - but made no apology for her stance on the lido.

"Who knows what is in the minds of the electorate, but obviously it was a factor," she said.

"Some people suggested I could have voted the other way to stay popular, but that is not me. If I can't do it honestly there's no point."

Mike Barratt, who is already a town and Wychavon district councillor, said: "There was a lido situation there.

"I accept that there was a protest vote about the lido."

The comments come as Droitwich Town Council prepares for an extraordinary meeting to discuss the future of the lido this evening.