A NEW five-year plan for Worcester has secured the green light - with councillors uniting to say it shows the benefits of teamwork.

Labour, the Conservative and Greens at Worcester City Council have voted unanimously to approve a new blueprint for jobs and investment.

As the Worcester News revealed two weeks ago, a new 'Worcester Plan' has been created under an unprecedented three-party deal.

Some of the ideas include more investment into the riverside, securing official 'Heritage City' status for Worcester, making the city a national 'hub' for competitive swimming and even the possibility of a new park and ride for Worcestershire Parkway.

During a full council meeting the document, for the years 2016-2021, was backed by all sides.

For the first time ever the blueprint has been put together by all the political parties with seats on the council, instead of just the ruling administration.

Labour Councillor Adrian Gregson, the city's leader, said: "This is the result of two rather extraordinary factors.

"Firstly there's been this process of producing plans for different administrations which aim to take Worcester forward but secondly, the fact is this has been more readily identified than in the past.

"The Worcester Plan makes it clear to our partners that there is a stability, a consistency, a commitment going forward."

Councillor Marc Bayliss, who leads the Conservative group, added: "This is an opportunity to put aside party politics and work for the common good for Worcester, I hope we can do that."

Green Councillor Louis Stephen told the chamber the dossier was "a great example" of bringing out the strengths from each party.

"It's a great example of collaboration, and the end result is so much better than if just one party had done it themselves," he said.

Councillor Joy Squires, the council's deputy leader, said: "I'm both pleased and proud that we have a vision for Worcester - it's a plan that keeps the people of Worcester at the heart of everything we do."

During the debate Councillor Andy Roberts said he regretted the plan making no reference to taxpayers or value for money, but voted it through too.

Some of the other ideas in it include targets on keeping more graduates in the city, encouraging firms to relocate to Worcester, converting shop upper floors into flats to help the High Street, and making sure a higher proportion of residents secure NVQ Level 3 qualifications.