MARK Garnier said his election win marked a "fresh start" for Wyre Forest.

The new Conservative MP polled 18,793 votes - a majority of 2,643 and 5,000 more than he received in the 2005 General Election.

Labour's Nigel Knowles finished third with 7,298 votes while Liberal Democrat Neville Farmer got 6,040.

Mr Garnier is the first Tory MP in the district since Anthony Coombs was ousted by Labour's David Lock in 1997.

The Conservatives held power in Wyre Forest from 1983 to 1997.

Mr Garnier went on: "I now look forward to tackling the important issues that affect us all right now."

In a speech after the result was announced, he outlined education and health as his priorities for the area.

Mr Garnier's victory prevented Independent Community and Health Concern's Dr Richard Taylor serving a historic third term in Westminster.

He called Dr Taylor a "gentleman" and added: "Richard has worked incredibly hard for causes and issues and he must rest assured that I want to continue to improve the services at Kidderminster Hospital."

UKIP's Michael Wrench received 1,498 votes and BNP candidate Gordon Howells got 1,120.