WORCESTER City Council and an MP have waded into the furore over a pub's future - saying they want answers.

Your Worcester News can exclusively reveal how both city council staff and MP Robin Walker have tried to get answers over the Coppertops in Dines Green, only to be stonewalled.

Politicians say there is "a strong case" for the pub to stay open amid fears that it could be closed.

As your Worcester News revealed last week, the Oldbury Road boozer has been bought by Westbourne Leisure, which has refused to give any answers on its future.

Staff at the pub also say they don't know what the plans are for the pub, which is the only one left in Dines Green following the demise of the Mayflower and Drakes Drum.

During a full city council meeting on Tuesday, politicians agreed to lobby for it to stay open.

Councillor Richard Udall, who represents St John's, said: "Westbourne Leisure has not responded to requests from customers, councillors or the media to confirm their intentions for the site.

"Speculation is intense that they intend to close the last remaining public house which serves a large population in St John's and Dines Green."

He called for the council's Conservative leadership to try and intervene to "preserve the last pub standing" in the area.

"Pubs have an important social role, losing it would be a tragedy to the community," he said.

Councillor Marc Bayliss, deputy leader and cabinet member for economic prosperity, said officers had tried to get hold of the new owners "by phone and email" without luck.

"The planning system cannot stop a pub closing, but it can prevent things being built," he said.

"At the Coppertops there's a strong case for a pub to remain in place - I'd be delighted to help him (Cllr Udall) make a case for the continuation of this pub."

Cllr Bayliss also said he believed there was a clear "demonstrable need" for a pub in Dines Green given the other closures.

After the meeting Mr Walker said: "In light of what's been said at the council meeting I will be contacting Westbourne again - I've had the same experience too, I've written to them and called and had nothing except for 'we'll get back to you'.

"I will fight tooth and nail to save this pub, the community are clearly very worried about it."

Westbourne Leisure, based in Birmingham, specialises in the licensed trade industry.

Your Worcester News has tried to contact the firm again today, but it declined to comment other than to say it could not confirm what its plans are.

In recent weeks a petition has been circulating which has been signed by more than 230 customers.

Punch Taverns previously owned the pub, which dates back to 1969.