A DISTRICT councillor has formed a Droitwich branch of Worcestershire for Europe.

Around 20 residents interested in joining the new branch of the group, closely affiliated with the pro-EU European Movement, met in the town’s community hall on Monday (January 7) evening.

Liberal Democrat councillor Margaret Rowley, who represents Droitwich East on Wychavon District Council, said she was asked by many anti-Brexit campaigners to form the group.

“I was approached by a lot of people to start something,” she said. “People asked me: ‘why aren’t you doing something in Droitwich?’

“If you form a campaign group, people who have a strong feeling will likely join and you can move from there,” she continued. “They felt a need.”

There is something of a deadlock in Westminster over how to move forward with Brexit, with campaigners claiming new opinion polls show a significant shift towards remaining in the EU.

This is despite the vote to Leave in June 2016 which won with a majority of 51.89 per cent.

Cllr Rowley said: “It’s quite worrying all the reports of what’s going to happen if we leave, especially if we go ahead with a no deal.”

She said, despite only arranging the meeting at the start of the month, it was “well attended” and a committee was formed.

It will now plan a series of activities locally to support remaining in the EU, including a gathering between 10am and midday on Saturday (January 12) in Droitwich’s Victoria Square.

Cllr Rowley said the event will serve as a ‘Brexitometer’ to gauge the opinion in the town.

“We will be talking all things Brexit with those who are interested,” she added.

Monday’s meeting also saw chairman of Worcestershire for Europe, Stuart Thompson, giving an illustrated talk on the aims and objectives of the European Movement and its affiliated groups.

The European Movement is an independent cross-party movement founded in 1949 centred on fostering peace and cooperation with the UK’s European neighbours and partners.

Since the 2016 referendum, the Movement has grown from around 25 groups to more than 100 in 2018.

Since the People’s Vote launch in April 2018, the group has been working with other organisations to ensure that there is a vote on the final Brexit deal, including the option to remain.