LABOUR members of Wyre Forest District Council have been accused of "deserting" MP David Lock over the downgrading of Kidderminster Hospital.

The council has passed a resolution urging Prime Minister Tony Blair to reverse the removal of acute inpatient and A&E services from the hospital.

It also criticised the diagnostic and treatment centre set for Kidderminster, which it claims is likely to cost £10 million and will involve the gutting of a £14 million building which was only opened in 1995.

Councillor Fran Oborski, referring to the fact that no Labour councillors voted against the motion said: "Perhaps Mr Lock should get together with his district councillors to work out exactly where the local Labour party does now stand on the hospital issue."

Labour group leader Jamie Shaw, who has previously voted against similar motions - in line with the stance of Labour MP Mr Lock - abstained on the vote, saying he believed the council leader was right in trying to get a better level of service.

But he said there was "nothing positive" in the resolution, which also called for the National Audit Office and the Public Accounts Committee to investigate current and future hospital services in Worcestershire, particularly the capacity of the new PFI hospital in Worcester.

"The council needs to engage constructively with the other bodies involved with this particular service provision.

"I support dialogue and I look to those who have been elected on this particular issue to provide a resolution that shows a way forward," he added.