THE multi-million pound canal project, set to put the Spa back on the map, has received a cash injection of £1m from Worcestershire County Council.

It was decided at the authority's County Hall cabinet meeting in Worcester on Thursday (May 15).

Droitwich Canals Restoration Partnership heard last month they will receive £4.5m from the Heritage Lottery Fund and £2.5m from Advantage West Midlands. In addition to £1m from Wychavon District Council to produce a 21-mile cruising ring around the county.

Tourism chiefs believe it will see an additional 340,000 visitors to Droitwich each year.

Worcestershire County Council Labour leader, Peter Pinfield who has been involved with the project for the past 15 years said: "We are hoping that this new tourist attraction will bring in a large amount of money into the town of Droitwich.

"People will also have the opportunity to see a stretch of countryside that has not been seen since the beginning of the last century."

He claimed the extra cash will contribute to the development of shops, cafes and restaurants built along the canal at Vines Park in Droitwich Spa. The proposals are still in the planning stages but according to Mr Pinfield they are now one step closer to completing the project.

Former town leader, Pam Davey who also attended Thursday's meeting said it was encouraging to see that the council were finally moving forward with the project.

She added: "The Droitwich canal will be a major feature in Worcestershire's bid to enhance it's tourism potential."