JUST a dozen people turned up to a meeting for residents on developing Droitwich Spa's canals.

With more than £9m expected to be invested in the landlocked canals, British Waterways organised a workshop to find out what people wanted from the project.

But with only a handful showing up on Tuesday, December 17, a report to help shape how the budget is spent will now be based on the views of a minority.

The small band discussed the canals' good and bad points, heritage features and facilities they wanted developed around them.

Issues raised included safety, parking, wildlife, fishing, paving, access for the disabled, signage, the canal basin, lighting, access for cyclists and horse riders, plus retail and housing developments.

Workshop co-ordinator Annie Walsh, from Devon-based Image Makers, told the group, which included representatives from businesses, the disabled, conservation, angling and boating, that their comments counted.

"In the run-up to Christmas people are busy and turnout is lower than expected," she said.

"However, this shows the town is keen for this to go ahead.

"If we were proposing to close a canal we would have seen a bigger turnout."

Suggestions ranged from building a heritage museum, improving the canal basin, building long and short stay moorings, restaurants, nature reserves and an education programme.

British Waterways, Droitwich Canals Trust, Wychavon District Council, Worcestershire County Council and the Waterways Trust are all backing the scheme.

Confirmation of essential grants from the Heritage Lottery Fund and Advantage West Midlands are expected later in the spring.