PEOPLE power has changed the face of parish politics in Clent where eight out of nine long-serving councillors have been ousted in a dramatic election battle.

All but one of the sitting councillors on Clent Parish Council, many of whom had notched up more than 20 years service, lost their seats in last Thursday's parish election.

Only former chairman and district councillor Margaret Sherrey, who was re-elected to represent the Furlongs ward on Bromsgrove District Council, remains on the nine-strong parish council after a determined campaign by community-minded villagers which urged residents to vote for change.

Derek Faraday, Marion Hobbis, Steven Malek, Ed Moore, David Muggeridge, John Skelding, Robert Waldron and chairman Ed Sheppard were all booted off in the first contested election in the village in eight years.

They were replaced by retired doctor Stan Bloxham; semi-retired pharmacist Roger Danson; retired resident Maggie Latham; Ann Nation who has links to farming and many organisations in the village; Clent School governor Neill Robb; self-employed family man Kevin Smith; retired Nick Sugden; and businesswoman and mum-of-four Caroline Howard.

Mrs Howard, aged 46, said the challenge was inspired after the village’s Save The Pleck action group won its fight against unpopular parish council plans to build affordable homes on Green Belt.

She said after the results were announced: "We're delighted; we couldn't have wished for a better victory. The people of Clent have spoken - that's what democracy is about."

Mrs Howard said the new councillors would bring "fresh thinking to the council's decisions”. She added: "We promise to do our best for the parish as a whole."

The only challenger who didn't make it onto the council was retired engineer and business owner Wayne Nation.

The new-look council will meet for the first time on Monday May 16 at 7.30pm. A new chairman and vice-chairman will be elected at the meeting at Clent Parish Hall to which members of the public are invited to attend to raise issues of concern.

There was also a ballot box battle for the Fairfield ward on Belbroughton Parish Council which saw Karen Green Carol Hine, Ann Ince, Trevor Jones, Chris Scurrell and Susan Wright elected.

In the Bromsgrove District Council election for the Furlongs ward (covering Clent and Belbroughton) Janice Boswell (Conservative) was re-elected, polling 1293 votes, along with parish councillor Margaret Sherrey (Conservative) who polled 1085. Labour candidate Kevin Edward notched up just 336 votes.

In Hagley, Chris Scurrell and Steve Colella (both Conservatives) were also re-elected - polling 1032 and 1395 votes respectively. Labour candidate Martin Tingle polled 375 votes.