COUNTY council chiefs met a Government minister yesterday to plead for fairer funding for Worcestershire.

County chief executive Rob Sykes and councillors George Lord and Adrian Hardman met MP Jim Fitzpatrick from the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister (ODPM) to discuss Worcestershire's £3.5 million budget shortfall.

The gap has been revealed following a reduced subsidy from the ODPM, which in turn could lead to a cutback in day-to-day services.

Mr Hardman said: "We are in a bleak position.

''If we cannot convince the ODPM to reconsider the amount of money it is giving us, then we will either have to identify a further £3.5 million worth of efficiency savings or cut services to residents.

"Considering we've already come up with £6.5 million worth of efficiencies this year, finding another £3.5 million is a big ask.

''So we really need the Government to come up with the goods but the real problem will be not just a short term one of dealing with this year's gap - and next year's - but the fact Worcestershire will be pinned on the bottom when it comes to Government funding year after year...last in the line, as normal."

A proposed increase in council tax of 4.99 per cent will still leave a £8.7 million gap in funding.

But the council has identified £5.2 million in reserve cash, leaving the deficit at £3.5 million.