THE chairman of Worcestershire's Labour group has made a cheeky appeal for Lib Dems and Greens to join his party - calling it a "once in a generation" chance to come together.

Councillor Richard Udall, one of the most senior Labour politicians in the county, says the arrival of Jeremy Corbyn as their leader is an opportunity to create a new left wing alliance.

The veteran figure, who sits on Worcester City Council and the county council, wants members of both Greens and the Lib Dems to rip up their memberships and flip over.

He also wants elected councillors to cross the floor, including at County Hall where there are six Lib Dems and Greens forming one alliance known as the '2013 group'.

But his suggestion has been resoundingly trounced by both parties, who have instead made a return invitation.

Councillor Udall said: "We have a once in a generation opportunity to unite all those who support progressive politics behind a new Labour leader in an open and radical alternative to the Conservative agenda of fear, despair and austerity.

"I sincerely believe we can achieve more together than as separate political parties competing against each other - we have more in common than the issues that divide us.

"Labour is now a new political force and those who are currently supporters of other political parties who share our desire for change could help to build new policies and new ideas which could build a new society.

"My simple message is join us, be part of the new politics and help us form a new progressive centre left party - come home to Labour."

The request has caused amusement among Lib Dem and Green circles, who say they don't intend to take it up.

Lib Dem Councillor Fran Oborski said: "He is absolutely wide of the mark - yes some of Corbyn's views a lot of us can agree with but he comes from a very authoritarian wing of the Labour Party.

"Some of the people he's attracting back in are horrendous, we believe in the freedom of the individual while socialism is about a heavy, dictating state.

"No Liberal could join something to authoritarian."

Green Councillor Matthew Jenkins said: "Labour probably realise they've lost Scotland to some extent, and can't win it back without other parties on the left.

"Some areas do overlap but a lot of Green issues, they don't understand."

Fellow Green Councillor John Raine added: "We won't be in any way crossing the chamber, indeed why doesn't he join us?

"It's true we share an anti-austerity platform but (at County Hall) we've tried to get them to support our opposition on the energy-from-waste incinerator, that went nowhere."