DROITWICH should "file for a divorce" from Wychavon according to a civic leader and residents who say they are outraged at the way the town has been treated.

Leader of the Labour group on Worcestershire County Council and Droitwich Spa Town Council Peter Pinfield says the town's history with Wychavon has been ''a disaster" and the town should go back to being "run from the town, for the town, by the town".

And his views are shared by a number of residents who were angered by the recent recommendation by Wychavon District Council's executive board to bulldoze Droitwich's Lido.

"The history of our association with Wychavon has been a disaster and last week's disgraceful treatment and decision on the Lido by its leader and controlling group members was for me the final straw," said Coun Pinfield.

The running of Droitwich was taken over by Wychavon District Council in 1974 following a shake up of local government.

Since that time, Coun Pinfield and residents claim the town has lost many of its valuable assets and services, including the hospital, Winter Gardens and market, while they claim Pershore and Evesham are being invested in heavily.

"I shall now campaign for however long it takes to get Droitwich out of the clutches of a Pershore/ Evesham/ rural alliance that has no intention of listening or taking action on the wishes of the town (Droitwich) and its residents.

"Two-tier has not worked for us in Droitwich and the sooner Wychavon is disbanded and we are given more autonomy the better."

Coun Pinfield said there was legislation that enabled town and parish councils to run and be responsible for more of its services and the county council was willing to enter into discussions on how the town could be more independent.

"Under Quality Council's the town council can ask the district for more responsibilities, but at this stage cannot pull out from Wychavon all together, although there is more legislation coming in and hopefully ,if I'm still around in a few years, we shall see the back of Wychavon."

A Spokeswoman for Wychavon District Council said it would not be right to comment on Coun Pinfield's specific comments.

"Droitwich Spa Town Council can have their views and that's up to them," she said.

Managing Director of the authority Jack Hegarty said it would listen to everybody's opinion, in particular about the future of the Lido.

"The aim of last Wednesday's meeting was to get the views of the public about that and all councillors have been circulated with the comments."