In terms of its social make-up Worcester is almost a microcosm of the country as a whole. Data from the 1991 census shows the constituency to be very similar to the national average in terms of its class composition, proportion of ethnic minority voters, average age and housing tenure.
Unemployment however is below average. Employment in the service sector such as administration, hotels, distribution and shops takes up about 80% of the total.
The seat covers the city and its surrounding area, including the cathedral and Guildhall, and the Worcester racecourse, where proposals to build a giant drainage ditch are proving controversial.
Unsurprisingly, the city is also home to the Royal Worcester porcelain factory and its many associated gift shops and museums. Worcester was also the birthplace of composer Sir Edward Elgar, and the city hosts the ‘Three Choirs’ festival every three years.
Labour won this seat for the first time in 1997, it generally having been traditionally Tory.