BLEARY eyed, many of Worcester's politicos are heading for the Guildhall's council count today still knackered after last night.

But they'll need their wits about them, with the city's 'hung' status sure to make it another almighty close shave - think of a cat's whisker.

Last year, the usual merry go round of results left the authority in limbo, leading to two weeks of shenanigans and an apparent Green 'kingmaker' kitted up with his crown and then comically de-throned by Edwina Currie's nemesis, Alan Amos, your mayoralness. 

And it only takes a tiny snippet of pure speculation to see how we could be set for another round of messiness to drag on, and on.

If Cathedral goes red today and every other ward stays the same, the future of Worcester could potentially be decided by a mere handful of votes in leafy Claines between the Tories and Lib Dems.

Twelve months ago, The Source made a bold prediction by predicting that Worcester's 'hung' status would remain year in, year out - and little has happened since then to suggest anything different.

Batten down the hatches and prepare your very own 'red lines', fellas.

 

* IF you've got a few quid lying around, race to the bookies today and put your house on Adrian Hardman, leader Paul Middlebrough and Alastair Adams being re-elected to Wychavon District Council.

That's because the trio of Conservatives haven't got a single candidate standing against them, allowing the simplest of passages to another four-year term.

Uncontested wards are like a disease, a victim of apathy. 

Doesn't anyone else living around Bredon, Drakes Broughton or Honeybourne fancy having a go?

 

* FOREIGN Secretary Philip Hammond was talking to yours truly down Worcester High Street on Monday when Stephen Dorrell, who served as Health Secretary in John Major's Government, suddenly breezed past.

He wasn't there to back his fellow Tory though - Mr Dorrell, who has just retired as an MP after a staggering 36 years in the Commons, was just doing a spot of Bank Holiday shopping.

 

*BECAUSE we've gone election crazy in Britain, many councils, 14 of them in fact, are planning for their counts to run into tomorrow including up the road in Warwick.

Can we bus everyone over from Worcestershire for a disco to top it off?