A Worcester City councillor has shunned the offer of £5,000 to help run Pitchcroft racecourse.

Coun Derek Prodger had been eligible for the pay as the council's representative on the board of Worcester Racecourse Ltd.

Arena Leisure plc and Worcester City Council have formed the company, to run the racecourse for 99 years.

Coun Prodger took the post - then an unpaid one - during the summer.

Previously, Coun David Barlow, the leader of the Labour group, had been nominated as the authority's director. He was ousted in the wake of Labour's election defeat last May.

The director of corporate services, Philip Betts, revealed last week in a closed session of the council's policy and resources committee that Coun Prodger was now entitled to £5,000 a year as a director, paid by Arena Leisure plc.

The councillor left the room while the measure was discussed as a "recommendation" drafted by the racecourse working party.

"I won't be taking the £5,000," said Coun Prodger after the meeting.

"This isn't because I see a conflict of interest in being paid to be a director.

"It's because I believe I can do my job by claiming out-of-pocket expenses instead."

Coun Prodger said he would be content to receive pay for travel to racecourses around the country, overnight accommodation, food and attendance at board meetings.

Coun Barlow said he was "very pleased" with the decision to turn down the money.

"It would have put an intolerable pressure on the man if he was being paid by Arena and we ever got round to proposing a controversial issue such as constructing car parks on Pitchcroft," he said.