WORCESTER'S MP has hailed a five-year plan for the city - saying it shows the benefits of rival politicians working together.

Robin Walker says the groundbreaking deal between Worcester's Labour, Conservative and Green group leaders has a lot to offer the city.

As the Worcester News revealed on Wednesday a new 'Worcester Plan' has been revealed for the years 2016-2021 aimed at creating more jobs, improving tourism, reducing poverty and pulling in investors.

Some of the ideas include more investment into the riverside, securing official 'Heritage City' status for Worcester, making the city a national 'hub' for competitive swimming and even the possibility of a new park and ride for Worcestershire Parkway.

For the first time ever the blueprint has been put together by all the political parties with seats on the council, instead of just the ruling administration.

Mr Walker was one of the politicians pushing for a Rainbow-style coalition at the Guildhall back in the summer before the talks fell apart.

Yesterday, he said: "It's a great thing that all three parties have sat down and worked together on this plan.

"I want to praise all the parties for coming together in this way, given the fine political balance on the council.

"It's a very positive initiative and can only be good for the city, and in terms of the plan itself it covers a lot of issues close to my heart."

The Conservative MP has also sent a letter to Labour Councillor Adrian Gregson, the leader of the council, to say he "strongly supports" the main elements of the dossier.

Some of the other ideas include targets on keeping more graduates in the city, encouraging firms to relocate to Worcester, converting shop upper floors into flats to help the High Street, and making sure a higher proportion of residents secure NVQ Level 3 qualifications.

Elsewhere, some contents of the document were criticised by Worcester City FC supporters yesterday.

The club's Newcastle branch said the plan does not making any commitment to getting the club back home, calling it "a joke".

The blueprint talks of the council wanting "strong sporting and leisure partnerships" with Worcester City FC, but does not go into detail over the stadium saga.

Back in May negotiations over a power-sharing deal between all three parties at the council fell apart, with Labour going on to form an administration with Green Party support.

A full council meeting is taking place at the Guildhall next Thursday to vote through the Worcester Plan.