VILLAGERS were celebrating today after news the Government is to fund the £5.6m Wyre Piddle bypass - more than a quarter of a century after the fight for the road started.

Campaigners described the news as "the best Christmas present" possible.

Coun Liz Tucker, who represents the area and has campaigned for more than 20 years, said she was elated.

"I think it's the best Millennium celebration Worcestershire could have," she said. "For the people of Wyre Piddle and Upper Moor, it's going to mean an enormous difference in the quality of their lives."

Coun Tucker said she would now be discussing with county officials when the work could start.

"I hope it could be as early as September," she said. "Because this has gone on so long we've already overcome many of the obstacles, such as compulsory purchases."

'Delighted'

Resident Dave Boddy, whose house was damaged two years ago when a car careered into it, said it was "the best Christmas present. We're absolutely delighted".

The new road will bypass Wyre Piddle and Upper Moor, and a junction at George Lane will remove landfill site traffic from Wyre Piddle and minor roads.

Mid-Worcestershire Tory MP Peter Luff was equally delighted.

"It will mean Wyre Piddle will get their village back rather than being a trunk road," he said. "There will be people alive in future years who wouldn't have been - that's the really important thing."

Ministers also announced a local transport settlement of at least £53m for Worcestershire over the next five years.

The county will receive £11.5m in 2001/02 for capital schemes.

Provisional figures are £11.4m for 2002/03, £9.5m for 2003/04, £9.6m for 2004/05 and the same the following year.