JOY Bushby's 26-year spell on the district council ended last Thursday when she failed to retain her seat at Catshill after being beaten by her daughter Sarah by three votes.

Joy had been a Tory councillor since 1976 and polled 426 votes, while Sarah, also standing for the Conservatives but who was making her election debut, polled 429.

Geoff Hulett who was making a comeback for Labour after losing his seat in the local elections four years ago, was also elected in Catshill with 442 votes.

Delighted

Later Joy said she was sad to have lost but delighted for her daughter. She has recently resigned from Catshill Parish Council but continues to represent Woodvale on the county council.

Sarah, who lives in Rubery, began a new job at ASDA in Bromsgrove this week.

She said: "I'm sorry mother lost and although I'm delighted to have won at my first attempt, it has taken the edge off my victory."

Sarah is following in her parents' footsteps. Her late father Terry was a member and chairman of the old urban district council and was its chairman in 1971-72.

Joy held the post in the present district council in 1985. Sarah was her mother's First Lady and accompanied her at official functions, including the opening off the Council House by Princess Margaret, the Countess of Snowdon.