TWO Worcestershire County Council by-elections held in Wyre Forest cost a total of £40,000.

Seats in Stourport and St Mary’s, Kidderminster, were left empty by councillors who had won in May’s original elections.

The Stourport by-election cost £22,000 and took place after Eric Kitson, who stood for the UK Independence Party, stepped down following a row over racist facebook posts. It was won by Independent Community Health Concern councillor John Thomas.

In St Mary’s Tony Baker, who had won the division for UKIP in May, died suddenly in June. The by-election cost £18,000 and was won by Conservative councillor Nathan Desmond.

Wyre Forest District Council chief executive Ian Miller said the money had been claimed back from the county council.