DROITWICH'S MP has called on the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) to give the most "sympathetic consideration possible" to the bid to restore the town's canal.

Mid Worcestershire MP Peter Luff wrote to the director of the HLF, Anthea Case, after learning that it was considering contributing to the re-opening of the Droitwich barge and junction canals.

He said he was concerned because the county had had well below average Lottery donations in the past and he did not want it to be the case for the canals.

"This important project will restore one of the oldest and one of the most recent canals in the UK, bringing back to life Droitwich's proud history as a salt producing town.

Benefits

"It will, obviously, produce significant benefits throughout the area and in Worcester City itself but I know it's its heritage aspect that will be most appealing to you.

"I very much hope that the HLF will be able to contribute to this vital project.

"After so many false dawns we feel we are so close to a dream."

Commenting on the letter Mr Luff said:

"I hope this evidence of under spending by the Lottery bodies in Worcestershire will help to persuade the HLF that it should support the scheme."