WORCESTER'S second road bridge is to be named after the county councillor who was its staunchest supporter.

The bridge, at Clerkenleap, will be known as The Carrington Bridge in memory of Ron Carrington, who died almost a year ago.

But the decision - made by Worcestershire County Council's executive committee yesterday - contradicts what the public want, said one county councillor.

"I don't think anything should be named after councillors as some sort of monument," said Coun Tom Wells.

"I'm concerned about what the public will make of this.

"At the end of the day the public will call it whatever they want."

Coun Wells proposed the bridge should be called Battlefield Bridge to mark the historic Battle of Worcester on September 3, 1651, the last battle of the English Civil War.

"The final battle isn't commemorated in any way," said Coun Wells.

"It would put Worcester on the map and would be a boost to local business and tourism."

Coun Derek Prodger said the nearby bridge over the River Teme in Old Road, Powick was already being used to commemorate battles of the Civil War.

He agreed the bridge currently known as New Bridge needed a new name because the county already has two New Bridges.

The former Worcester Mayor also said it entirely appropriate to name the bridge after the man behind it.

Coun Prodger said there had been a long tradition of naming streets after famous benefactors of the city, such as Wyld's Lane, Sherriff Street and Lavender Road.

Coun Carrington was chairman of the Hereford-Worcester County Council between 1989 and 1993.

He played an important role in the planning, design and construction of the bridge and officially opened it in 1984.

He was first elected to the county council in 1977, for the Hallow electoral division, and was awarded the OBE in 1989.

He was a member of the Little Witley Parish Council for 27 years, president of the Abberley and District Young Farmers' Club, and vice-president of both the County Young Farmers Association and the County Scouts Associations.

He was president of the Worcestershire Association for the Blind and master of two Freemason Lodges.

He died on Sunday, November 5, last year.