PLANS to move a hamlet from its historic ward may be quashed as a special case.

Caunsall folk are up in arms over proposals to move it from the district council ward of Cookley, a few hundred yards away, into Blakedown.

Within a day, more than 100 people out of a 166 population signed a petition against the plans.

They claim the move would sever the historic link of Caunsall with the ancient parish of Wolverley and Cookley.

However, Wyre Forest District Council leader Mike Oborski stressed the hamlet would not leave the parish but only have its district ward status changed.

He stressed: "I have great sympathy with Caunsall's ward situation because its natural affiliation is with Cookley.

"I see no reason why it should not be looked at as a special case."

However, he said the Local Government Commission which is undertaking the review is insisting on elected members representing equal amounts of population.

Cookley is over-represented while neighbouring Blakedown is under the mark by six per cent.

His comments followed protests from Wolverley and Cookley Parish Council which said it was illogical for people to vote in Cookley for the parish council and Blakedown for the district council.

It claimed folk would no longer benefit from charitable trusts because their addresses would have moved from the parish.

Chairman Dean Cox said: "People are very angry about this, more so because we feel we are not being told what is going on.

"There are many ramifications to such a move affecting the historic links between Caunsall and the parish."

The parish council has written to the commission and the district council with its concerns and Mr Cox called on the local authority to reveal more about the proposed plans.

He said: "Apparently, the parish has 166 too many people and Caunsall's population is 166, while Blakedown is under-represented.

"But it seems ludicrous to make such changes for the sake of 100-odd people."