Wyre Forest Tory leader, John Campion, said he hoped residents in Broadwaters did not feel "duped" follwing the resignation of ICHC leader, Howard Martin.

Mr Martin, who has been leader of the party for four years, handed in his resignation on Sunday, despite recently winning his Wyre Forest District Council seat in the local elections.

Mr Campion said: "It just seems strange. Just a few weeks after the election and he's standing down from the party that he was elected for?

"I just hope that the people of Broadwaters don't feel duped by this change."

He added: "I think this is a very clear reflection that ICHC is now a Stourport based party as they have got six Stourport councillors and one Kidderminster councillor."

Dr Richard Taylor, chairman of ICHC thanked Mr Martin for the work he had done for the party.

He said: "It is with sadness that we acknowledge the resignation of councillor Howard Martin from Independent Community and Health Concern with immediate effect.

"Health Concern is an association of independently minded individuals with no party whip and if differences of opinion surface and cannot be resolved, associates can always resign as has happened before.

"We thank Howard for all the considerable work he has done for Health Concern over a long period and wish him well as an Independent Wyre Forest District councillor."