LIBERAL Democrats in Wychavon are planning to seize control of the district council from the Tories.

They need to win a further eight seats at the local elections on Thursday, May 1, to do that and group leader Councillor Margaret Rowley is confident that they can achieve their target.

"The current Conservative leadership is seen to be so out of touch with the people and the community surveys we conducted across the district show this clearly," she said.

Coun Rowley, who is standing in Bowbrook Ward, said this was particularly true in Droitwich, which the Liberal Democrats will be targeting.

"There is a feeling of resentment that the council hasn't been providing the facilities the people of Droitwich want."

Five of the town's residents have become so disgruntled with both the district and town council that they have decided to stand in the election as independents.

Coun Rowley said even Conservative group members appeared to be losing confidence.

"At least a third of their current councillors are not standing again," she said.

"This leaves us with a tremendous opportunity as the second largest political group."

But the Tories believe their record since they took control in 1999 will help them to keep their 33-seat stronghold.

Council leader Coun Malcolm Meikle said in particular they fulfilled their pledge to hold the council tax rise to just 2.5 per cent.

"I believe we have achieved where others have just talked," he said.

Among the achievements he highlighted were the Worcestershire Hotel and Waitrose in Droitwich, the leisure centre in Pershore, and the Evesham riverside enhancement scheme.

Labour group leader, Coun Roy Seabourne, who will be standing in the Droitwich West Ward, also questioned the Tory administration's record.

"We are very unhappy about the pace in the provision of social housing in Wychavon, when we have a record number of homeless young couples living in bed and breakfast accommodation," he said.

Coun Seabourne added that the Tories had been stingy with the council's cash.

"We could make much better use of our resources, in particular we could be more generous with out grants for local community groups and societies."

n The political make-up of the council as Wychavon electors go to the polls on Thursday, May 1, is Cons 33; Lib Dem 10; Lab 3; Ind 1; vacant 2.

All 49 seats are up for election, but two seats, in the wards of Pinvin and Norton and Whittington, are uncontested.