THE Conservatives made a gain while Health Concern retained in a Bewdley Town Council by-election.

Health Concern candidate John Byng polled the most votes in the Wribbenhall by-election with 207 votes ensuring the party kept hold of its seat on the council.

And it was a successful night for the Tories as former Mayor of Kidderminster Paul Harrison claimed the other vacant seat, following the election which took place yesterday (Thursday, February 24).

The turnout was 24.4 per cent with postal voters’ turnout being 64.7 per cent.

The by-election was held as a result of former Bewdley town councillors Maurice Alton of UKIP and Health Concern’s Anne Mace vacating their seats.

Mr Alton automatically lost his seat after failing to attend a meeting of the council or its committees in six months, with his party citing pressures of work as the reason for his non-attendance.

And Miss Mace retired after 11-years serving the authority for health reasons.

Nick Faress, Town Clerk said: “I offer my congratulations to the new Councillors and I am sure they will serve the people of Wribbenhall and Bewdley as a whole to the best of their ability.

"The Mayor, town councillors and myself look forward to working with the new Members and welcoming them to their first meeting on Monday, March 6."

The full results are:

John Byng (Health Concern) – 207 votes

Paul Harrison (Conservative) – 203 votes

Ian Hardiman (Conservative) – 165 votes

Caroline Shellie (Health Concern) – 163 votes

David Edwards (Independent) – 158 votes

Rod Stanczyszyn (Labour) – 156

Owen Raybould (Labour) – 154

Eric Jones (Independent) – 120

David Field (UKIP) – 68

Megan Williams (Green Party) – 56

Michael Akathiotis (Liberal Democrats) – 41

Heather Lacy (Liberal Democrats) - 34