WORCESTER could be the next city to get its own currency as part of a drive to push support to local businesses.

A meeting is being held next month to discuss the introduction of the Worcester Pound.

Over the last few years, other cities and towns around the UK, such as Bristol and Totnes, have introduced their own local currencies in a bid to encourage more people to shop in smaller independent businesses.

Adrian Field, head of Worcester BID (Business Improvement District), said it will need more than a handful of shops involved for the currency to work.

Mr Field said: "Although we aren't directly involved with the pound, we are trying to promote awareness of it because it is an interesting idea.

"It's definitely something worth exploring. I think that as a project it would grow, and that it may not be fully embraced from the word go but it needs more than one or two businesses on board to make it work. I know that schemes like this have been a success in other places around the country."

The Worcester Pound's website states: "The Worcester Pound (£W) is a creative and practical way for local people to make money work for Worcester.

"The £W is essentially a voucher or token that can be traded locally as a complementary currency and used alongside Pounds Sterling.

"Money spent locally circulates within, and benefits the local economy. Money spent in national chain stores doesn’t. As soon as money is spent at a chain store which has more connections outside the local area than inside, that money is lost and accumulates in multinational conglomerates’ accounts or with distant shareholders playing the stock market for a quick buck.

"The sign “WE TAKE WORCESTER POUNDS” will attract customers where several similar looking businesses compete and buyers have no easy means of choosing which to try first or identifying which is a Worcester based business."

Local people and business owners are invited to a meeting about the Worcester Pound, on October 5 from 7.30pm until 9.30pm at St Swithin's Institute Hall, the Trinity, Worcester, where the group behind the initiative will discuss it in depth and answer questions.