CAMPAIGNERS who have fought a long-running battle to 'bring City home' say they hope to launch an appeal against the city council's refusal to grant permission for a new football stadium.

Worcester City Council's planning committee rejected, for a second and final time, the plan to build a 4,400-capacity stadium at Perdiswell Park on Thursday.

And in a repeat of the previous meeting the committee was tied on their vote, with it coming down to the casting vote from committee chairman Chris Mitchell.

After the meeting Rob Crean, from Worcester City's supporter's trust which has fought a long battle to get it to this stage, said they were disappointed the committee had taken the "unprecedented" step of twice going against planning officers' recommendations.

"We are taking legal advice, and are calling a meeting of trust members to confirm that the next step should be an appeal," he said.

"We have six months to lodge an appeal.

"When the planning meeting started we quickly realised it would go the same way as the last time - some members were predetermined to refuse it.

"We are confident if we went to an appeal, we would win - which would cost taxpayers money."

But Green councillor Neil Laurenson, one of the campaigners who has always stressed the location is wrong, said the supporters trust and club should move on and not appeal.

"I am not jubilant," he said

"This has been going on for years - the committee has now made the decision.

"If they built it on Perdiswell and the club became successful - as other lower level clubs have done - they will need to expand.

"Before you know it there is no park.

"I urge the trust to work with the council to find a better location, I want to see the club back in the city."

There was a big reaction on the Worcester News website and social media pages, after we reported on the decision.

Mark Shuker said: "I know all about it, and I oppose Perdiswell.

"A ridiculous location for a City football ground."

But Craig Taylor said: "This is so disgusting for the football fans of Worcester.

"I hear the rugby every time there is a home match, as I live close to the stadium - I even hear concerts.

"It's not a problem at all."

And Kevin Pugh added: "Come on people of course it's going to be rejected, it's not a housing estate."