WORCESTER MP Mike Foster has been accused of "mischief-making" by two city politicians for criticising a tourism website part-funded by the council advertising the Swan Theatre.

Mr Foster said the city council must either be confused or hypocritical to celebrate the Swan as a tourist attraction when it planned to sound its death knell by slashing its budget by £83,000.

Even though the website went live last Thursday, a week after the proposed budget cut was announced, Councillor Derek Prodger said the site was constructed in the autumn by the council's tourism and marketing department.

"I thank them for listing all the attractions on the web," he said.

"The situation with reference to the Swan's future should not be used to criticise the dedicated hard work of our tourism department."

Councillor Stephen Inman said he was surprised at Mr Foster's remarks.

"If the council were to delete references to the Swan on its website at the present time it would be quite wrong," said Coun Inman.

"The Swan is still open to the public to come and visit. If the Swan were to close then the link would be removed.

"I am disappointed that our MP should try to pick up such a point. This is pure mischief-making."

Coun Inman stressed that the closure of the Swan is not a foregone conclusion.

"All I have done is flag up the possibility that, when the council comes to set its budget next February/March, I cannot see that the supplementary grant of £83,000 that we have paid over and above the basic grant for the last four years can be maintained."