'NOW our campaign can really start' - those were the words from the Save A Lido Today (SALT) group after the parish poll last Thursday backed their calls to save the saltwater attraction.

In response to the question 'do you want to see your sea-bathing lido restored to its former splendour and fully operational?'

98 per cent of townsfolk gave the overwhelming answer 'yes'.

The second question asked 'would townsfolk be happy to see an increase in their council tax bill of an average of £1 per month to cover the operational costs of keeping the lido open?'

91 per cent of the electorate responded with a 'yes' vote.

And the final question asked 'do townsfolk oppose Wychavon District Council's proposal to have the lido site demolished and incorporated into the Lido Park?' 93 per cent of voters said 'yes'.

Though not legally binding, the poll reflected the strength of feeling in the town over the lido issue.

Nearly a quarter of eligible voters turned out to make their voices heard, despite the limited time in which they could vote - just five hours.

SALT spokesman Ian Wild said: "Many people told us they had never voted before but they felt so strongly about this issue they felt they had to vote."

Ian added: "We want to say a big thank you to all the volunteers who helped us on the day, including offering a taxi service to the elderly and infirm who would have had no other way to getting to the polling stations.

"We also want to thank the officers from Wychavon District Council who did a sterling job."

Now SALT has a mandate from the people of Droitwich Spa it wants to negotiate with Wychavon District Council to see if there is any way the lido can be saved and a way forward found.

SALT members are as determined as ever. Ian said: "We're looking at this as when the campaign can really start."