THE ongoing success of Bewdley Festival has sparked talks aimed at creating a theatre in the town as part of Opportunity Bewdley.

Town councillor Ian Read, speaking for the social and community working group, said: "The festival has done so well year after year that it deserves something better."

He said such a building would provide vital facilities for the town's schools as well as attract "even bigger and better stars" to the festival held every October.

Surprising figures unearthed by the group revealed about a fifth of all the town's residents are of retirement age, while at the other end of the scale about 16 per cent are under 16.

Between 33 and 45 per cent of Bewdley folk are in professional or management jobs.

Priorities identified by the group include finding a permanent home for Bewdley Canoe Club. Mr Read said it was "unthinkable" that it could fold.

Stating 50 per cent of all juvenile crime takes place between 3pm and 5pm, he said more open spaces were needed and said a skate park was essential to provide much-needed facilities for the town's youth.

One of the possible sites for this has been identified as Bewdley Leisure Centre.

Mr Read added: "We think our youth deserves our investment and certainly deserves our protection."