VILLAGERS have criticised a decision to change the Parliamentary constituency in which they will vote.

All of Inkberrow, about 10 miles east of Worcester, will become part of the Redditch seat rather than Mid-Worcestershire, after pleas from the parish council were ignored.

It told a Boundary Commission public inquiry, held at Worcestershire County Hall in March, that the village's rural interests would be best served by staying in Mid-Worcestershire.

But assistant commissioner Timothy Comyn rejected the idea, saying residents' links to the south of the county would remain largely unchanged.

"We accept the decision but are very disappointed in the outcome. It's not what our recommendation was in the initial consultation," said Dennis Wynter, chairman of Inkberrow Parish Council which discussed the decision this week.

"Part of Inkberrow has been in Redditch for a considerable period of time. But the village has learnt that not all our views and issues will be considered as effectively as if we were in a rural constituency over things like transport."

Elsewhere, the Malvern Hills District Council wards of Tenbury, Lindridge, Teme Valley and Woodbury will move into the West Worcestershire constituency.

Rock, near Stourport-on-Severn, will return to the Wyre Forest area. Mike Foster's Worcester constituency will remain unchanged in the alterations, which will come into force after the next General Election.

Meanwhile, the Boundary Committee has published details of how divisions at Worcestershire County Council will change shape.

The committee said it wants to change the name of the St Clement division in Worcester to "Riverside" and also alter the boundary between that ward and St John's.