WORCESTER MP Robin Walker has called for the Government to show its hand over offering a 'county deal' - saying Worcestershire is ready for devolved powers.

In his first House of Commons speech since the General Election, the Conservative called for George Osborne to recognise counties as "a key part of England's and Britain's make-up".

The Chancellor has already promised the UK's biggest cities billions of extra funding and powers in return for creating so-called 'City regions' ran by elected mayors, in the same way as Boris Johnson in London.

As your Worcester News reported last month, Worcestershire County Council's leadership has already ruled out joining forces with Birmingham.

The Conservatives have pledged to deliver real devolution across the country in the aftermath of the Scottish referendum.

Mr Walker, who has suggested some kind of West Mercia-based tie-in with the likes of Warwickshire and Shropshire, told the Commons he wanted Worcestershire to be offered a fair deal.

"It is right that we consider devolving more power to local communities, devolution and localism can work," he said.

"I am an unashamed fan of the concept of 'total place', which means looking at things from the bottom up rather than from the top down.

"That can be done not through artificial regions, and not only through big cities, but through our counties, which are a key part of England’s and of Britain’s make-up."

He called for ministers to deliver, adding: "Worcestershire has never done well when it has been lumped in with a region, and where Birmingham has called all the shots.

"We missed out during the time of Advantage West Midlands, and we have done much better with our own Local Enterprise Partnership."

He also used his speech to mention the 2014 controversy over the South Worcestershire Development Plan, when we revealed that council chiefs in Birmingham and the Black Country were objecting on the basis it had too much land earmarked for jobs.

He said: "I recognise the need to meet the aspirations of every part of our United Kingdom, but that needs to include England and England’s shire counties.

"We need to restore balance to the union, and I (also) look forward to supporting English votes for English laws to achieve that."

Mr Walker also told fellow MPs he was delighted about Worcester Warriors' promotion back to the Premiership, saying he wants the economy in "the premier league".