FUNDING from Europe could be used to save Droitwich’s brine baths in their traditional form.

Droitwich’s Euro MP has now joined the fight to ensure the town’s brine baths are replaced.

Following her support of the 2005 campaign to save Droitwich Lido, MEP Liz Lynne visited campaigners who are determined to make sure the historic baths in St Andrew’s Drive are replaced with an attraction that mirrors the previous site.

On Friday, she met members of the campaign group Save Our Brine Baths (SOBBS) and councillors to lend support to their calls and promised to look at what funding could be available from the EU.

The baths were closed last year by BMI Healthcare, the firm which managed the site, leading to a breach of their 25-year lease agreement with Wychavon District Council.

This led to the council securing compensation that will now be put towards a new ‘brine experience’ in the town. The baths will not reopen at the same location, but could be found a new home if campaigners get their wish.

However, since the closure, discussions have been ongoing about what else could replace the baths in the town. This has been met with opposition from some councillors and residents.

Liberal Democrat councillor Stephanie Vale’s involvement began when she heard that the council was looking at plans to replace the baths with a ‘brine experience’.

At the meeting, Councillor Vale said: “I very much believe that the baths should remain as baths.

“They are a central part of the town’s historical identity and I fear that the council’s new taskforce, which has been set up to make the plans, may take the whole concept of the brine baths away.” She is joined in her concerns by a number of local residents, led by William Moy, who participated in the lido campaign.

They formed the Save Our Brine Baths group, which is actively campaigning not only to ensure the right future for the baths, but to make sure that residents get a say on any developments.

MEP Liz Lynne said: “There is a very strong feeling among the residents in particular that they must be involved in decisions over the brine baths’ future.

Campaigners have already collected thousands of signatures from local people who feel the same about keeping the brine baths in their traditional form and I hope that planners will listen to their concerns and ideas.

“Brine has been a key part of Droitwich’s heritage since Roman times and the salt mines and subsequent baths are what put the town on the map.

“I fully support the campaign to save the brine baths and will continue to liaise with Councillor Vale and the campaign group.”