CAMPAIGNERS desperate to save the Droitwich Lido are calling for Mid-Worcester-shire MP Peter Luff to prove accusations that he levied at them.

In a speech in the House of Commons before Christmas, Mr Luff criticised the Save A Lido Today and Action for Droitwich groups because of their opposition to the new lido health spa development and plans to build a Waitrose store.

But SALT members hit back, pledging to present Mr Luff with a letter outside an Anti-Social Behaviour meeting at Droitwich Community Hall today and calling for him to clarify his comments.

They also planned to ask the Tory MP if he thought there was a connection between vandalism and the closure of the lido and skateboarding area.

In his speech on December 19, Mr Luff said: "My worry is that some local pressure groups are working with vested interests to undermine local democracy in Droitwich and the interests of the wider community.

"The protesters should quietly withdraw their objections in the interests of the local community."

He also blasted SALT's attempt to list the lido, claiming it was a "device to frustrate the development".

He feared it would scare off private sector investors and urged the Government to throw out any application.

SALT treasurer David Parkinson denied the organisation had a vested interest in opposing plans for a health spa on the site of the lido.

"SALT has no commercial interests, so if Mr Luff didn't mean to include SALT in this way, why did he use the plural. And the application to list the lido was made by the Twentieth Century Society, not by us," he added.

"We'll be inviting him to repeat his comments in public outside of Parliamentary privilege, to provide evidence and meet us."