ANOTHER Kidderminster man on his way to Westminster is Tom Watson, who won the safe Labour seat of West Brom-wich East.

Mr Watson, 34, was victorious in the constituency held by Peter Snape for 27 years.

The Labour majority slipped from 13,584 to 9,763 due to a lower turnout but Mr Watson was pleased to maintain the party's share of the vote.

Speaking on his way to Westminster to sign on as an MP he said: "I am absolutely delighted.

"I look forward to a celebratory drink in the Prince Albert in Kidderminster.

"You have to account for the fact that Peter was MP for a long time and was very popular. The turnout was lower and I had calculated winning by about 7,000, so I'm very pleased."

The Kidderminster-bornfledgling MP, a former chairman of Wyre Forest Labour Party, was "very disappointed" at the news of David Lock's thrashing at the polls.

However, he wished Dr Richard Taylor success as the new MP.

He said: "The people of Wyre Forest have spoken and I wish Richard Taylor all the best as a fellow Kidderminster man.

"I have never met him although I was at school with his daughter Caroline.

"I will follow his career in the Commons with great interest.

"I will also do my best to ensure the people of Wyre Forest get the best service available to them."

Mr Watson, who was a national officer in the Amalgamated Electrical and Engineering Union before the election, said his main issues as MP were home affairs, particularly law and order, and the advancement of new manufacturing techniques.

However, the former King Charles High School pupil will have to put his hometown before his constituents next month.

He said: "I'll be down for the Kidderminster Harriers v West Bromwich Albion friendly next month and there's no chance of changing my loyalties.

"I am Kidderminster Harriers through and through."