THE Conservative Party has held on to the Wyre Forest District Council seat in the Aggborough and Spennells ward.

Voters went to the polls on Thursday in the by-election called following the sudden death of Maureen Aston in August.

The Tory candidate, John Aston, widower of the late Mrs Aston, took the seat with 527 votes, beating second-placed Samantha Walker, of the Liberal Democrats, by 63 votes.

Mr Aston said: "I am obviously delighted to continue the work my dear wife, Maureen, started. I would like to thank all the residents of Aggborough and Spennells ward for taking the time to vote. I promise I will not let any of you down."

Former leader of the council, Howard Martin, who stood on an Independent Health Concern ticket, polled 185 votes.

Labour candidate, Adrian Sewell, failed in his attempt to win back the seat he held between 1995 and 1998 after gaining 108 votes.

Kate Spohrer, who was the first person to represent the Green Party in a Wyre Forest district council election, obtained 33 votes.

The result meant the make-up of the council did not change, with the ruling Conservatives having 19 seats.

The make-up of the 42-seat council is:

Conservatives 19

Health Concern 8

Liberal 8

Labour 4

Liberal Democrat 2

Independent 1

Election result:

John Aston (Conservative) 527

Samantha Walker (Lib Dem) 464

Howard Martin (Health Concern) 185

Adrian Sewell (Labour) 108

Kate Spohrer (Green) 33

Turn-out : 24.65%