THREE suspended Tory district councillors are considering taking their case to be reinstated to the High Court.

The unprecedented move follows their leader's failure last Wednesday to invite them back into the fold before a 4pm deadline set by a solicitor acting for the Bromsgrove Three - as they are being dubbed.

The three councillors, Nick Psirides, Ann Doyle and Dr Elizabeth Lammie, were suspended for allegedly not toeing the group line at a meeting of the full council in August when it was agreed to develop the Victoria Ground.

A strongly-worded letter from their solicitor to council leader Dennis Norton (Con-St John's)demanding that they be reinstated, was also circulated to all Tory councillors.

Attached was a note from the three pointing out that as the Tory group which agreed to their suspension is an 'unincorporated body' each member will be liable for any costs and compensation awarded to them by a court.

Copies were also sent to local party chiefs and Tory leader Iain Duncan Smith.

The letter is said to have caused some councillors to think long and hard about where their loyalties lie.

Calling for their reinstatement the letter accuses Cllr Norton of conducting 'some sort of kangaroo court' and goes on to say that he breached the long-standing legal doctrine that 'no man shall sit as a judge in his own cause.'

After the deadline, Cllr Norton hand delivered a letter to the three informing them that they could appeal and make a ten-minute presentation to the same group which had suspended them originally. Their solicitor, however, told Cllr Norton it was unlawful.

The three rebels declined the offer and are now considering their next move, which could be High Court action.

Last Friday a special meeting of the group, attended by only ten of the 27 Tories on the council, voted to confirm the six month suspensions.

A friend of the three, who declined to be named, said later: "All three are very upset. If it was me, I would have to consider if I wanted to belong to a group which has it seems acted unlawfully and which considers itself a private club, outside the law and which is treating them so shabbily."

Cllr Norton declined to comment.