A LOCAL Government ombudsman has been called in to look at fresh evidence over claims a Droitwich sports club has been "ripped off."

Droitwich Rugby Football Club sold its 13-acre Hanbury Road site eight years ago on the understanding that three of the acres would be used for public open space.

Under the agreement, Persimmon Homes, buying the land for development, was asked to pay £60,000 for maintenance of this open space.

The firm, in turn, deducted this money from the total paid to the rugby club for the site, as well as taking £40,000 for the play area, which has never been installed. But the club has now claimed it has copies of the document that Persimmon Homes could develop one acre of the open space, therefore increasing the land's total value and making at least half the £60,000 irrelevant. The club now wants its money back. Persimmon Homes said it would meet with the club at the end of this month to discuss matters.

Managing director of Wychavon District Council, Jack Hegarty, said the issue was between Persimmon and the club.

"This is not a local authority matter as far as we are concerned," he added.