RESIDENTS from a Droitwich Spa estate have been invited to have their say on how a grant of up to £1.5m could be spent in their community.

Westlands is through to the next round of bidding for cash from the Government's £30m Home Zones fund.

The estate was submitted for consideration to Worcestershire County Council by Cllr Pam Davey (Con, Droit.South).

A bid to have Chawson included in the scheme was rejected.

Residents are invited to a meeting tonight at the Westlands community hall, off Farmers Way, from 7.30pm, to say how the cash could be spent on the estate.

The newly launched initiative aims to make communities more people friendly by using traffic calming measures and enhancing the environment.

Authorities can introduce lower speed limits, create play areas, and add flowerbeds and benches.

The council is allowed to submit three bids, which collectively total £1.5m.

The Droitwich submission, and two others from Malvern, will now be scrutinised by the Department for the Environment, Transport and the Regions.

Cllr Davey said: "I am delighted the Westlands scheme is going forward.

"However, I am disappointed that Chawson has been unsuccessful at this time."

The residents' association has campaigned for two years to improve the estate.

Droitwich Spa town councillor Eileen Hope (Con, Droit.South) said: "It's good news for Westlands but I can see why Chawson residents say they live on the forgotten estate. Hopefully something else will come along."