HOPES that a new warship could be named in honour of the Faithful City look likely to end up dead in the water.

Former Mayor of Worcester Councillor Derek Prodger wants fellow members of the policy and resources committee to debate tonight, whether one of a class of ships due for commissioning in six years' time should bear the name HMS Worcester.

Previous efforts have been in vain. But Coun Prodger has asked for the item to be put on the agenda after hearing that the Royal Navy has ordered a new batch of Type 45 frigates, to replace its fleet of Type 42s.

"This would seem to present the council with a fresh opportunity to rekindle the links with the Royal Navy in this way," he said.

However, a spokesman for the Ministry of Defence has told the Evening News the Faithful City has missed the boat once again.

"The Type 45 frigates will all have names beginning with a D," he said.

"Two have been named already, Daring and Dauntless."

The last time the campaign to resurrect the name of HMS Worcester made headlines, three years ago, it was hoped that a new breed of nuclear submarines might feature an HMS Worcester.

This hope also has been torpedoed.

"The new Astute class will be given names beginning with an A," said the MoD spokesman.

"Perhaps Worcester City Council would like to request that we call a new aircraft carrier after the city, although I don't think it's very likely the idea would catch on."

He said it would be at least 2012 before a new carrier was commissioned.

However, Coun Prodger has refused to abandon the idea.

"I'm not going to give up on this simply because the MoD has a methodology for names," he said.

"I want to link our city with the Royal Navy. This is just the first hurdle we need to jump.

"I'm very disappointed because it seems the MoD is going back on its word. In December, 1997, the Ships' Names and Badges Committee said it would 'hold the proposals under consideration should an opportunity arise in future'.

"Getting them to change their minds will require heavy lobbying, but I have some contacts in the Royal Navy and I want the council to lend its weight. Even our cadets at HMS Fearless can help in the campaign."