AN exciting night in Cleobury Mortimer saw both Health Concern district councillors ousted and a shake-up at parish level.

A close call in the race for two seats on South Shropshire District Council saw Shaunah Murrell lose to independent candidate Kenneth Reynolds by 18 votes. Her fellow party member Ralph Walker conceded to Betty Davies, also an independent candidate.

It was an even tighter finish at the parish council elections with Roy Powell missing the chance of a seat by just one vote.

He was pipped to the post by Clare Redfern who clocked up 401 votes to gain a place on the council for the first time.

Two councillors lost their seats - Roger Skelhorn and Carl Genese. Three others decided not to stand and so the nine-strong council has five new members.

The four who retained their seats were Betty Davies, Adrian Pearce, James Reynolds and Kenneth Reynolds.

All candidates standing for the parish elections, which saw a 53 per cent turnout, were independent.

l Parish council results: Betty Davies 706, Graham Cowell 616, Kenneth Reynolds 572, Donald Griffiths 567, Gilbert Carter 548, Jim Reynolds 454, Adrian Pearce 452, Donald Carter 425, Clare Redfern 401.

Not elected: Roy Powell 400, Roger Skelhorn 326, Carl Genese 287, Garry Todd 272, Iain Smith 192, Richard Davies 168.