A FORMER mayor of Evesham will be defending his seat from his hospital bed at tomorrow's local elections.

John Payne, who represents Little Hampton on Wychavon District Council, is still recovering in Cheltenham General Hospital after he had to be cut free from the wreckage of his car by firefighters last week and airlifted to hospital.

The one-time chairman of Wychavon District Council was driving a Nissan Micra which was involved in a collision with a Saab last Wednesday afternoon on the A46 near the town.

Margaret Rowley, Mr Smith's agent, said: "John is on the road to recovery and looking forward to continue representing the people of Little Hampton. He is getting better and thankfully there is no lasting damage. He just had cuts and bruises and was obviously very shaken."

Anyone with information about the crash should call police on 08457 444888 quoting reference 265s/240407.

The crash blocked the road for about an hour.

The driver of the other car was also taken to Cheltenham General Hospital.

l This story appeared in yesterday's Worcester News and John Payne was wrongly referred to as John Smith. We would like to apologise for this error and any upset it has caused.