EUROPE could play a key role in the economic regeneration of Worcestershire towns, claims a district councillor.

Former leader of Malvern Hills District Council Phil Grove has pledged to fight for European funding for Tenbury Wells and similar small towns as he takes up his new role.

Coun Grove has accepted the economic development portfolio for the council and is especially keen to focus on Tenbury, where unemployment is higher than the national average.

In particular he wants to see growth at the town’s business park, which has stagnated.

He said “There has been no expansion at the business park for 10 to 15 years and that has to change. It is also critically important that we make sure that there are links between schools and business so young people are equipped with the skills that employers need.”

Coun Grove believes it is time for small market towns such as Tenbury to get a share of economic development funds coming from Brussels and Strasburg.

He serves on the Congress of Europe, which is made up of representatives from UK councils and is a Conservative member of the European and International Board of the Local Government Association.

He said: “It is my job to use my contacts to lobby for Tenbury and other small towns. Too often people associate Europe with big projects and it is time small market towns get a fairer crack of the whip.”

But he recognises that as the European Union goes through its own financial troubles and more funding is diverted to new member countries in Central and Eastern Europe it will be a tough fight to secure a slice of the cash.

Coun Grove would not disclose whether he was a Europhile or Eurosceptic. He said: “We are in Europe so the important thing is to make sure that we secure what funding and support we can and that is what I shall do for Tenbury and Malvern Hills.”

He said times were tough in Tenbury and the town suffered from the closure of the Teme Bridge earlier in the year. Coun Grove says banks are still not lending enough to small businesses.