A NEWLY elected Bewdley town councillor says he wants to increase parking in the town for residents and visitors after winning a seat in last week's by-election.

It followed the resignation of Health Concern's Frank Baillie in October and Worcestershire county councillor, Gordon Yarranton, will represent the Bewdley East Ward.

The by-election was held last Thursday and the 62-year-old received 216 votes, Labour's Bill Mason finished in second place with 180 and Health Concern's Sean McChaern polled 80 votes.

Conservative, Mr Yarranton, said: "I am over the moon that they elected me to sit on the council. I am absolutely thrilled to bits and looking forward to working with the council. I am really looking forward to improving facilities in the town centre for residents and visitors."

Mr Yarranton, who has lived in Bewdley all his life, said one of the issues he wanted to tackle as a town councillor was parking in the town.

He explained: "I am concerned about the parking in Bewdley. We need a scheme there that is going to suit everyone.

"We need more parking, not only for the residents in Bewdley but also visitors who are going to spend their money in the town. If they don't have parking they are not going to come."

Mr Yarranton, who was elected to the county council in May, represents Cookley, Wolverley and Wribbenhall on that authority.

The retired central heating engineer added: "I am backing district councillors on putting the Worcestershire hub into the foyer of Bewdley Museum and I am in favour of bringing all the services under one roof, which my Conservative colleagues are working hard to achieve."