HE only amassed 69 votes from the 49,723 across Worcester at last year's General Election, but former independent candidate Mark Shuker is clearly not beaten.

The soldier's son, who started life as a newborn in a Wiltshire military camp, has launched a brand new political party named after The Hive.

He clearly isn't allergic to yellow then, despite tearing up his Lib Dem membership after his old party snubbed his bid to become its Worcester parliamentary candidate last year.

* ONLY eight Worcester Warriors fans are believed to be braving the trip to Russia this weekend for their historic European Challenge Cup clash, but remarkably it's turned into yet another Tory v Labour bout.

Among the tiny cohort wandering around Moscow will be Councillor Adrian Gregson, Labour leader of Worcester City Council and Conservative Councillor Stephen Hodgson, who both share the same sporting love despite having rather different politics.

Let's hope they don't start their own cold war.

* COCK-UP of the week goes to those luvvies at the Tewkesbury Magazine, a freebie which dubs itself "a handy local reference guide" for the public.

A ghastly page spread about a big boat racing event, attended by West Worcestershire MP Harriett Baldwin, refers to her throughout as 'Harriet Harman'.

* OUR readers have long memories, if this witty note sent in by one is anything to go by.

"I see Norway's Prime Minister has been told off for playing Pokémon Go on her electronic device in parliament, surely this trend is something else Worcestershire's politicians can take credit for," they observe in exasperation.

Back in 2014, of course, Worcestershire County Council sparked national headlines after asking its cohort "not to play electronic games" in meetings after Lib Dem Fran Oborski was spotted enjoying Solitaire on her iPad.

* HE didn't half face some stick over dodgy claims of overcrowding but for Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn, 'trainsgate' shows no signs of ending.

Former Worcester Labour MP Mike Foster, author of that 'Anyone But Corbyn' ABC letter, was on a packed train ride this week.

"Now Jeremy, this 15.49 from Birmingham to Hereford with London Midland is what a crowded train looks like," he mockingly tweeted, accompanied by an image of commuters genuinely crammed in like sardines.

* WE told you last week how the county council won't be putting solar panels on its HQ, saying the rusty old roof isn't up to the job.

But far from putting the cat among the pigeons, it's the fear of killing off canines that has stopped any from being placed around the expansive grassy areas outside frequented by pet owners.

"We've looked at free standing panels outside County Hall, but electricity and dogs don't go well together," said Councillor Anthony Blagg, the deputy leader.