DROITWICH is being neglected in favour of Pershore and Evesham, according to angry residents who claim Wychavon is "draining" the Spa town.

They say Wychavon District Council is taking services from Droitwich while it ploughs millions of pounds into projects, such as the riverside development in Evesham and the Cottage Hospital in Pershore.

The comments come after the council's executive board said it intended to demolish the town's historic Lido.

"In Wychavon, we have not got people with the ability to look to the future," said town councillor Claude Heeley. "They always want to take money from Droitwich and give it to Evesham and Pershore.

"We are getting nothing in Droitwich. They are draining the town."

In recent years Droitwich has lost its Winter Gardens, hospital, and market.

"We have systematically lost all the amenities and the identity of the town," said resident Edward Williams, of St Richard's Gardens.

"Before we went in to Wychavon we had many more facilities in Droitwich."

And residents said they are determined not to let Wychavon take its Lido as well.

More than 60 people turned out to a public meeting on Thursday night to see, for the first time, SALT's - Save a Lido Today - proposals for the refurbishment of the Lido.

And the mood was one of quiet discontent as residents vented their anger at the board's decision and tried desperately to come up with a plan to save the open-air pool from the jaws of the bulldozers.

"If we are going to be heard we have to make this a political issue," said Droitwich resident Mark Heel.

"When Kidderminster was going to lose its hospital the town fought and got its man in at the top. Let's stick up an independent candidate at this year's elections and make our MP earn his right to get back in. Let's give them hell."

Residents are being encouraged to turn out in force to a meeting of Wychavon District Council's overview and scrutiny committee on Wednesday to show councillors the strength of feeling in the town.

The committee will be scrutinising the board's decision before it goes before the full council for approval on Tuesday, February 22.

The meeting takes place at the Community Centre in Heritage Way, Droitwich, from 6.15pm.