A MOVE to hand a Worcestershire beauty spot to the National Trust has been dramatically placed on hold - after councillors launched an investigation into it.

A watchdog-style body at Worcestershire County Council, which owns the Kingsford Forest Park tourist attraction, has exercised its right to examine the pros and cons around handing it over.

The overview, scrutiny and performance board (OSPB) says there are too many "unanswered questions" around the handover and fears the Conservative leadership is acting too hasty.

Under the deal, the finances of which have been kept secret, there are fears the National Trust could charge people either parking or entrance fees after three years have passed.

The park attracts people from all over Worcestershire and beyond, and is regarded as one of the jewels in the crown at County Hall.

The OSPB committee has the right to ask the council to re-think any decision and publish a report detailing their concerns.

It has asked Councillor Lucy Hodgson, the cabinet member for localism and communities, to attend its next meeting on Wednesday, November 12 where she will be grilled in detail on it.

Councillor Peter McDonald, Labour group leader, said: "The current proposals would allow the National Trust to introduce charges - firstly by charging for car parking and then introducing entrance fees by claiming economic pressures.

"This will only widen the gap between the 'haves' and 'have nots'.

"The 'haves' will be able to afford the fees of the National Trust and be entitled to free parking, while the 'have nots' will no longer be able to roam free or have access to the country parks they once owned.

"This is a very serious first step in the council’s obsession to rid itself of country parks.

"The right to free access was hard fought for by generations of working people.

"These proposals could make many residents on low incomes trespassers on land they once owned."

The Tory leadership has insisted the deal will benefit Worcestershire given the trust's track record in maintaining world class beauty spots.

It is aiming to save around £30,000 year under the move.

Cllr Hodgson has called the concerns over charging "scaremongering" and has insisted there is no "secret agenda" over the park.

"The public would still be able to access the site as they do now for informal recreation and free of charge," she said.

The park, based near Kidderminster, boasts miles of sandy tracks, vast open heathland, pine forests, picnic benches and broadleaved woods.