A PARISH poll will be called on the future of the Droitwich Spa Lido thanks to the overwhelming response of town people last week.

Spa folk voted with their feet at the meeting last Thursday to decide whether a poll should be called.

There were so many residents outside the Community Hall, in Heritage Way, who wanted to be involved that loudspeakers had to be brought in so people could hear what was being said.

They voted unanimously to demand a parish poll over the lido issue - whether the pool should be reopened - despite the decision by Wychavon District Council for it to be demolished.

The questions will ask whether residents want the lido restored, whether residents would be willing to contribute up to an extra pound a month through the council tax if the lido needed to be subsidised and whether they oppose Wychavon District Council's plans.

Town and district councillors spoke out at the meeting, including Roy Seabourne (Lab-West), Liberal Democrat parliamentary candidate Margaret Rowley and town mayor Anne Taft (Con-Droitwich South East).

One resident said: "This is true democracy in action. Wychavon's vote to demolish the lido was in complete opposition to the wishes of Droitwich and now Droitwich has spoken."

A spokeswoman from Save a Lido Today (SALT) said: "This is a clear call to those Wychavon councillors who voted for the demolition of the lido to think hard about the decision they made and how that might effect their standing in the forthcoming elections."

Some residents were concerned the town may have to foot the £8,000 bill for the poll if it cannot take place on the same day as the county council elections on May 5. But resident David Perks, one of the ten signatories calling for the poll, argued that it was up to Wychavon District Council to pass the costs down to the town council if they saw fit.

Rumours are going around that April 28 may be the date it is held but it could not be confirmed.

l CELEBRITIES and sports personalities have thrown their weight behind the Save A Lido Today campaign.

Radio presenter Julian Richards, who recently broadcast his Radio 4 history programme from the town has given his support to the Lido group.

And well-known Brummie historian Carl Chinn and TV presenter Griff Rhys Jones have both given the campaign their backing.

Gold medal winning Olympic swimmer Karen Pickering and four times Olympian Mark Foster have also both given the Lido their backing.