DRUG-related deaths are rising in the city.

Some 25 people died from drugs in Worcester between 2015 and 2017, compared to 23 for 2014 to 2016, and 20 from 2013 to 2015.

The leader of a watchdog has now called on Worcestershire County Council to stop cutting drug rehabilitation services in Worcestershire.

However, the head of public health for the county dismissed this as fanciful thinking and blamed the rising number of deaths on drug dealing gangs.

Chris Bloore, chairman of the county council's overview and scrutiny performance board, said: "This trend - that shows an increase in the number of deaths connected to drugs - is deeply concerning and shows the council must do more to support those affected by drug addiction.

"It's time council bosses stopped cutting funding to this area of work and I'll be looking to reopen the previous scrutiny work on drug services to get the answers on why the council is failing its vulnerable residents."

Last year, the overview and scrutiny performance board criticised Worcestershire County Council for cutting funding for Swanswell, the local drug rehabilitation service, by 15 per cent.

John Smith, the county council cabinet member for health and wellbeing, rejected Mr Bloore's claim that the council is failing its vulnerable residents.

He said: "It's quite easy to say we need to put more funding in but all local authorities across the country are having to look at their budgets. We do all we can to maintain the services we provide."

Instead, he blamed the increase on the rise of 'county lines' drug gangs, which are moving into Worcester from bigger cities.

Cllr Smith said: "I think the county lines gangs have indirectly led to this increase in deaths. I think drugs are becoming more easily obtainable, which is a sad thing.

"The problem with a place like Worcestershire - and it's no excuse - is we are so convenient to motorways and trunk roads so people can come from places like Birmingham, drop off drugs and go back to their area."

Worcestershire County Council said the national rise in drug-related deaths was partly down to the increasing purity - and availability - of heroin and the ageing population of users.

Mel Kirk, chief executive of the Worcester homeless charity Maggs Day Centre, thinks drug use is becoming more visible in the city.

She said there has also been a shift in the type of substances being used, with the emergence of 'legal highs'.

Ms Kirk added: "We are seeing a huge rise in people taking Black Mamba because it's cheaper."

The chief executive added that better education at an early stage in schools could help to reduce the number of drug-related deaths.

A spokesman for the Office for National Statistics (ONS), which released the figures, said it did not appear anyone in Worcester had died from synthetic cannabinoids, such as Black Mamba.

Michael Stephenson, a West Mercia Police advisor on crime prevention, said the force is working with other members of the Safer Worcester partnership to tackle drugs in the city.

The group agreed to focus on drugs in Worcester at its last meeting.

He added: "A positive problem solving plan, including positive policing, will be put in place that partners will work together to help towards decrease drug usage in Worcester.”

Of the 25 deaths in Worcester between 2015 and 2017, 18 were men and seven were women.

On a national level, heroin and morphine were the most common drugs linked to deaths, while antidepressants came second and cocaine third.

The ONS published the figures on Monday.

Swanswell was unavailable for comment.