I WAS more than a little surprised by your article (Evening News, Friday, April 11) that suggested the Conservatives in Wychavon were "under siege".

A local Liberal Democrat was quoted extensively, even suggesting that my party had lost heart in some way. It also suggested, by some very questionable arithmetic, that the Lib Dems were poised to take control of the council.

Perhaps some facts would help.

At the last General Election, the Lib Dems came a poor third in Mid Worcestershire, my constituency that encompasses the vast majority of Wychavon.

At these local elections, the Tories are contesting 44 out of the 45 seats, the Lib Dems only 31 and Labour 17. Who does that suggest has lost heart?

In fact our canvassing is going remarkably well, and we are confident of taking at least two and possibly three seats from the Lib Dems.

After all, people have not forgotten that it was the Lib Dems who, in partnership with Labour, seriously undermined the council during their four-year partnership.

They also remember that it is the Lib Dems who are always calling for Wychavon to increase its council tax by more than the very responsible 2.5 per cent the Conservatives have successfully restricted it to in every year since they regained control.

From where I sit, it is the Lib Dems who are under siege, while Labour is near to total collapse.

PETER LUFF,

MP for Mid Worcestershire,

House of Commons, London.