THE group campaigning to open the Droitwich lido has hit back at claims that it will need £100,000 in subsidies to run it.

Save A Lido Today (SALT) has pointed out this figure is the worst-case scenario if no one uses the facility, and it is, in fact, more likely to need around £30,000.

This will be on top of the £1m required to revamp the lido as a swimming pool and ice rink.

The annual subsidy figures were mentioned in the agenda for the meeting of Wychavon District Council's executive cabinet.

"We would like make it clear that its proposals to Wychavon included operating estimates for the first year based on various assumptions of attendance numbers," said SALT spokesman, John Cox.

"The quoted deficit of £100,000 is based on the worst case - and in fact we estimate a deficit of £30,000 on a medium-case estimated attendance.

"The agenda for the council meeting did not show the best-case scenario which would actually produce an operating surplus."

It was decided at the meeting that SALT would need to provide additional information in support of the proposals before a decision could be made. It meets with Wychavon District Council again in the New Year.