A VETERAN Labour councillor has blasted his Health Concern counterparts for "cannibalising" their own supporters.

Councillor John Wardle said the rival party's selection of candidates for next month's county council elections was nave and an insult to sitting councillors who had supported Health Concern for years over the Kidderminster Hospital issue.

Mr Wardle, whose own Puxton seat is being contested by Health Concern's Michael Shellie and the Conservative Neil Anderson said: "They are putting up candidates and cannibalising councillors from other parties who have supported them over the hospital downgrading for years now.

"Some of these candidates, such as Harry Grove in Chaddesley, are contesting seats they have no chance of winning.

"Stephen Clee is the sitting Chaddesley councillor for that ward, which let's face it, is blue to the core."

He added: "I hope these people know there will be no more county elections until 2005 and I would love to know what they hope to achieve on other issues if they win their seats."

However, Health Concern prospective parliamentary candidate for Wyre Forest Dr Richard Taylor said much time had been spent choosing candidates to contest seven of the 11 wards at the June elections.

He said: "The decision was made about a month ago by one of our committees and included advice from some councillors who already sit at county level.

"Selection was not based purely on the hospital affair because we are not a single issue party."