A TWITTER poll has sparked a row at Worcestershire County Council after being branded "a disgrace".

Amid a time of unprecedented financial pressure, bosses at County Hall have used the social networking site to ask the public where to spend the most cash.

The message stated: "Where do you think we should spend the most money and how should we spend it in the future?"

But the survey gave people just four options - the roads, child safeguarding, vulnerable adults and job creation.

The format has enraged the chairman of Worcestershire's Labour group, Councillor Richard Udall, who said the simple format makes a mockery of the services.

All four service areas are statutory ones that the council must provide by law, giving it less leeway than normal for saving money.

Councillor Udall has called the poll "crazy" and claimed it is creating division between people.

He said: "They are giving the impression they have a choice but all of these services are statutory - they have to provide them.

"They would be breaking the law if they did not do so, so it's a crazy poll.

"But although the services need to be provided they could and probably will still attempt to cut them.

"They will use the outcomes of polls like this to justify their cuts, turning roads users against children who need safeguarding, and against adults who need help.

"It is a disgrace, an attempt at divide and rule but it will not work."

But the Conservative leadership has responded by saying it was an attempt to keep in touch with the public.

Its Twitter feed has more than 13,000 followers and many more who may view it without the need to formally follow it back.

Tory Councillor Andy Roberts, cabinet member for transformation and commissioning, said: "We recognize the need to keep in touch with the people who use and pay for county services.

"The Twitter poll has been one of a series of engagement activities to help check our current priorities and inform any changes in the future.

"The public understand there is no suggestion of removing funding from any of these areas.

"They know we are interested to see which rank most highly for residents across the county."

He added that more than 2,500 people replied to the recent Viewpoint survey and more than 500 people have been spoken to directly at the 'Have Your Say' roadshows.

Due to demographic pressures and reductions in Government funding the council is having to cut around £25 million a year from spending at the moment, a savings requirement which is likely to hit £34 million in 2017/18.