POLITICIANS have elected to back Operation Covert with cash donations towards the Shuttle/Times and News appeal.

Wyre Forest MP, Dr Richard Taylor and district Conservatives have pledged cash towards Operation Covert, hailing the drive to rebuild the torched Scout centre at Rhydd Covert.

Dr Taylor said of his donation: "I have been to Rhydd Covert and seen a huge gathering of Scouts from across the whole of the Midlands and I think it is essential for town kids to get out into the country like that.

"Working at night in the dark in the middle of the country is an absolute eye opener for town kids and Rhydd Covert is ideal for things like that because it is pretty rural and yet fairly near to civilisation."

Dr Taylor, who was a Scout during his teenage years in Cambridge, added: "I am very pleased to support Operation Covert and I encourage others to do the same."

Members of Franche branch of the Wyre Forest Conservative Association raised £200 through a collection at a skittles social evening in Wolverley.

A collection raised £100 and the association chairman then donated an extra £100, said prospective parliamentary candidate for the party, Mark Garnier.

He said: "The Scouts are a terrific organisation so we feel they have had a bit of a rough time and we wanted to help."

He added the association planned to hold another collection at the party's annual dinner at the Ramada Hotel in Bewdley on November 20.

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