WYRE Forest district councillor Mary Rayner has confirmed she will run in May's election as an Independent.

Councillor Rayner, ward member for Broadwaters, has quit the Independent Community and Health Concern group, reportedly after "clashes of personality" with other members.

Cllr Rayner did not wish to comment on the reasons behind the split, but confirmed she would instead by running in next month's district council election as an Independent.

President of the Health Concern group Dr Richard Taylor said there had been "clashes of personality with various people".

Cllr Rayner's departure leaves only one other Health Concern member on the district council - Cllr Nicky Martin for Mitton ward - but Dr Taylor assured the group would be putting forward candidates for several other seats in May's election.

All 33 seats will be contested on May 2 and today marks the deadline for interested candidates to submit their nominations.

A list of Wyre Forest's candidates is expected to be released later this week.