I AM a shocked and saddened Droitwich Spa resident.

For the past six years I have been a commissioned officer in the British Army, living away from the place I call home. I am 24 years old and have been born and bred in the Spa.

I return home most weekends and always read the Advertiser to see what has taken place since my last return home and especially how the fight to save the lido has progressed.

I was stunned to read of the decision to destroy this site that has brought a lifetime of fun and enjoyment to the residents of the Spa.

For a youngster living within Droitwich there is no one site that can clearly be identified as a place for the youth of today.

There seems to be a focus on generating Droitwich into a place to commute from, not live in. All we see developing within the Spa are supermarkets and more and more housing within the Green Belt area.

I spent many happy summers as a youngster with my parents at the lido and then as a teenager with my peers as we grew up.

The lido was something to look forward to in the summer and that has now been denied others. With the plans of an ice rink it would have been a winter attraction as well.

I feel my future family will not have the chance to experience this facility but instead will have some 'water feature' to enjoy as Cllr Pam Davey points out.

Will this be a small paddling pool that will fall into a state of disrepair because Wychavon District Council has its eye on another new superstore?

This is a sorry day for the people of the Spa. Should there not have been a town vote sent through to all local residents to clearly see their views on this important and unique site.

I am confident the majority would have voted to save the lido.

Mr S Smith

Little Hill

Droitwich Spa