THE unexpected defeat of district councillor Alec Wall by only 16 votes, in a contested election, has shocked friends and colleagues in the Teme Valley community who are still reeling at the news.

Forced by boundary changes to stand in the Tenbury Ward, the former police officer has represented Kyre Vale Ward on Malvern Hills District Council for the past six years. Holding important council positions and fighting to keep council tax rises at the rate of inflation, Mr Wall has also represented the council on the Kidderminster Police Board, the Crime and Disorder Partnership and the Community Health Council.

Shaken by his defeat he told the Advertiser: "In a way I am relieved. After being in power for three years to now have to be dominated by Lib/Dems would be very difficult for me. Nevertheless, it has also been a very frustrating time trying to get used to a fickle public, and it has become very confusing. How can people know who and what to vote for? Tenbury will be out on a limb with local Lib/Dems from Malvern Town dominating the district.

"However, having moved into Tenbury from Stoke Bliss I will now have time to sort out my new life in town and get on with continuing my many interests," he added.