PLANS to rejuvenate the town's landlocked canals have won full backing from Worcestershire County Council.

The authority is contributing £1m towards the £9m scheme and members reaffirmed their support at the council's executive committee meeting.

When the project is complete, it will create a 21-mile cruising ring.

Council officers believe it could be the only short-break ring in Europe.

A report for councillors at the meeting on Friday September 28, said the canal could attract an extra 340,000 visitors by the fifth year. They would spend an estimated £2.75m in the county.

It says the project could boost canal side property prices by 15 per cent.

Officers said British Waterways and the Waterways Trust are confident of finding more financial backers.

The council's Labour leader, Cllr Peter Pinfield (Droit.Town), said: "This is a significant move and a commitment that will soon see the restoration work started."