DESIGNS for a new medal, to be given to past mayors of Droitwich Spa, will be decided by a special committee.

Droitwich Spa town councillors Mike Barratt, Kate Spencer and Janet Clarke all volunteered to be on the committee after a decision could not be made last Monday.

Currently, all past mayors of the town are presented with a jewel - like a lapel badge - at the end of their term of office.

However, now there are only two of these jewels left in stock, town councillors must decide on a new design.

Present Mayor, Cllr Ann Taft (Con-South East) said the jewel was an important tradition, which must be upheld.

Cllr Terry Spencer (Con-South West), a former mayor, agreed, saying the past mayor's jewels was also a vital part of his attire at civic functions.

All those in favour of keeping the jewels agreed it must bare the words 'Droitwich Spa' rather than just 'Droitwich' which appears on the current badge.

To purchase two of badges suggested at the meeting would cost £174.72 plus a setting up cost of £550.

Cllr Graham Gopsill (Lib Dem-Central) said: "Personally I think it is quite an expensive badge. It might be worth looking at other designs." He said that if Cllr Roy Seabourne is losing advice centre Fusion because of an £8,000-a-year shortfall, they should look at a cheaper option.

Other councillors were in favour of scrapping the idea altogether including Labour councillors Roy Seabourne and Frank Payne.

Speaking after the meeting Cllr Claude Heeley (Ind-South West) said: "The past mayor's jewels should be abolished."

It was finally agreed a sub committee should look at the designs and prices and report back to the resources committee and then the full council at a later date.