ONE of the perils of being on the campaign trail at election time is bumping into the opposition - or unwittingly knocking on their door to canvass for votes.

A bit like the postman trying to avoid properties with 'beware of the dog' signs, it's a bit embarrassing for all concerned when one party sends the heavies to a particular door, blissfully unaware it houses a rival councillor.

Labour's Geoff Williams wonderfully recounts how one year city MP Robin Walker and Tory sidekick David Tibbutt knocked on his door in Park Avenue.

"My daughter answered the door, and among their group was a girl she recognised from sixth form, and you know what teenage girls are like, they rushed into each other's arms," she said.

"The Tories perked up and must have thought 'we're in business here' but then I came to the door."

* LAST week this column called Councillor Bob Banks Grump of the Week - and the joke wasn't lost on him.

Aware of the ribbing he got, the affable county Conservative entered the chamber at last week's full council meeting, turned to yours truly and declared: "It's Mr Grumpy here, reporting for duty".

Ha!

* TALKING of last week's full meeting of Worcestershire County Council, what a farce the Derek Prodger 'no confidence' vote was.

For those that weren't there last Thursday, I'd advise anyone with an interest in politics to study County Hall's archived webcast - it offers a PhD into how to cock up a council motion whilst in opposition.

At one point viewers might even be able to spot Labour group leader Councillor Peter McDonald comically putting his own hand up to vote against the very motion he argued for, before sidekick Richard Udall pulled it down.

Cllr McDonald tells The Source it was an accident. With so much flailing of his arms surely he'd make a good Thunderbird?

* MANY readers of this column will undoubtedly be blurry eyed today, in the aftermath of last night's Worcester City Council elections.

If you belong to the BNP, never mind eh. You can trundle along for your normal few dozen votes this time next year.

The emperor has no clothes.

* SPARE a thought for one of the leading lights at Worcestershire County Council, who is counting himself lucky after being involved a pretty bad motorbike accident.

John Hobbs, County Hall's director in charge of business and the environment, who is well known for his love of bikes, came a cropper on one and ended up with eight cracked ribs and a collapsed lung.

Now he's back at work and was seen cracking a smile chatting to councillors about it last week.

The Source wishes him well.