REDDITCH councillors spent more than half an hour debating the "controversial" issue of which coffee should be drunk during meetings.

The discussion was sparked after a motion to switch to Fair Trade beverages was made during a full council meeting.

After a "heated" debate, councillors agreed to take the matter to an overview and scrutiny committee - where it will be discussed in greater detail.

Councillor Mark Shurmer said: "I support the provision of fair trade coffee with the exception of products of Nestl."

Mr Shurmer claimed Nestl's baby milk was provided as a substitute to mothers' milk in underdeveloped countries but once lactating had stopped, it was sold for about £15 a tub.

He said: "The quality of water is very poor and death has come from this because the Nestl baby milk is mixed with water.

"There are also reports Nestl use a GM ingredient. It has even patented a GM coffee bush."

But Council Leader Gavin Smithers said: "We are dealing with a matter of people's personal taste.

"We should not be turning this into an issue of political consciousness for the council."

Councillor Pat Wilson added: "I do think it's right to have personal choice.

"I have to be able to have coffee to stay awake during people's sometimes boring speeches.

"I like choice. I like Nestl coffee, it is much nicer than anything else.

"I am willing to pay coffee money if it means I drink what I want to. I do not like being shanghaied into doing things.

"I help charity out of my own pocket. I am quite willing to pay a premium if I can drink what I want to."

Mrs Wilson said it was against council policy to bring in your own coffee to drink at meetings.

But she added: "I will bring in my own Nescaf and risk being reported to the standards committee."