THE tide is turning against Health Con-cern, a Tory chief has claimed after his party swept to victory in a by-election.

Marcus Hart won Wyre Forest District Council's Sutton Park seat which became vacant in April with the death of Steve Roberts, district Liberal Democrat leader.

He gained 583 votes to finish ahead of Health Concern's Jennifer Harrison who polled 506. Liberal Democrat Clare Cassidy scored 253, while William Bradley, Labour, totalled 187.

Speaking after the election, which was held last Thursday, Mark Simpson, Wyre Forest Conservative Association chairman, said: "This is a stunning victory. We won despite Health Concern standing and I think this is the first indication the political tide is beginning to turn in Wyre Forest.

"This is a seat not traditionally targeted by the Conservatives. The feeling has grown among Health Concern that they are entitled to pick up seats when they stand. But next year, all 42 district council seats will be up for grabs and we are confident we will see Conservative gains."

Health Concern, which until last month's district council elections, formed a coalition administration with the Liberal Democrat, Liberal, Conservative and Indepen-dent councillors, was formed to fight the downgrading of Kidderminster Hospital.

The Conservatives' victory means the party is now the second biggest on the district council with seven seats.

Health Concern, which has 21 seats, remains in control with the casting vote of the chairman.

Labour and Liberal have five seats apiece and the Liberal Democrats and Independ-ents, two seats.

Mr Hart said: "I think the people of Sutton Park have realised there are other issues apart from the hospital and we have shown that we are the party for the community."

Mr Hart, who at 24 is the youngest Wyre Forest councillor, is a trainee solicitor and Scout leader.

Liz Davies, leader of the district council, said: "My reaction to Mark Simpson's comments is a wry smile.

" My reaction to the result is disappointment but the difference of 70 odd votes is very, very slight. The turnout was 31.6 per cent. Had it been higher it might have been different, who knows?"

But she said Health Concern had fielded a good candidate and while they would study the election result to see if there were lessons to be learnt, she was confident Health Concern would do well at the polls next year.