PEOPLE in Wyre Forest would back compulsory identity cards, according to a survey conducted by the district's Labour Party.

Members of the party asked people in Kidderminster and Stourport whether they would support the introduction of the cards.

Out of more than 200 people questioned, over threequarters - 78 per cent - thought such a card system should be introduced. The vast majority of those in favour of the cards - 92 per cent - believed they should be compulsory.

Marc Bayliss, Labour's prospective parliamentary candidate for Wyre Forest, said: "The party, locally, was genuinely interested in finding out what Wyre Forest people thought about the idea of identity cards and whether such a system should be compulsory.

"I have to admit, though, to being a bit surprised that the response to the survey was so clear. If you'd asked me before we undertook the survey, I would have predicted that opinion would have been more evenly divided on the subject.

"Most people who supported the idea of identity cards thought it would assist in preventing social problems, such as underage drinking and benefit fraud.

"There was, however, a sizeable minority who were against the idea of identity cards, many of whom cited concerns such as civil liberties and worries that such a system could be abused."