CRISIS-STRICKEN Worcestershire County Council now faces having to find a new leader - the third one in just over five years.

Councillor Adrian Hardman took over the top role in November 2010 after the police arrest and subsequent jail sentence for previous leader George Lord for sexual offences against two women.

This morning Councillor Hardman called in some members of his senior Conservative leadership for emergency talks on what to do next.

A new candidate for leader must be in place ahead of a vote of all 57 councillors on Thursday, January 14 - just a month before a crucial vote takes place on the 2016/17 budget worth £327 million, making the timing critical.

And before then the Tories must settle upon that candidate by selecting its own group leader.

A new leader-in-waiting is likely to emerge from the eight cabinet members left behind, with deputy leader Councillor Simon Geraghty widely tipped as the early favourite.

Councillor Geraghty's current role is the second most senior at County Hall, where he oversees work on the economy, skills and infrastructure as one of Worcestershire's most recognisable public faces.

He also has vast leadership experience - he entered politics in 2000 by joining Worcester City Council aged just 23 and became leader by 2006, a role he has held every year since apart from 12 months in opposition during the 2013/14 year.

The 39-year-old has been tipped by several insiders today as a very strong contender, given his role as County Hall's deputy leader for the last five years.

If he does try and get the top role it will have repercussions for Worcester City Council given the impossibility of trying to do both positions at once - meaning a vacancy could open up there.

This afternoon he said he wanted to focus on paying tribute to Councillor Hardman, calling him a "brilliant leader".

"It's a very, very sad end to Adrian's leadership, most people were pretty shell-shocked," he said.

"He's been very open and upfront about the circumstances.

"Adrian leaves a great legacy for the city and the county, he's shown exceptional leadership and has been superb to work with.

"I would rather focus on paying tribute to Adrian, we've first got to come to terms with the fact he's stepping down as leader."

Elsewhere, the current cabinet member for health Marcus Hart also holds a strong background to give it a go - including his current position as leader of Wyre Forest District Council, but his intentions are unknown.

Fellow cabinet members Anthony and Sheila Blagg, who are husband and wife and have vast amounts of experience in public life, could also make a stab at it as could Councillor Marc Bayliss, who was only elected to County Hall in 2013 but now sits in the cabinet.

Councillor Sheila Blagg used to chair the old West Mercia Police Authority before police and crime commissioners came into being and is currently responsible for adult social care, one of the most vital responsibilities at County Hall.

She is also well-regarded and admired across the council chamber by politicians from other parties, but her intentions are unknown.

Councillor Lucy Hodgson, another cabinet member, has ruled herself out while John Smith, who looks after roads and transport in the county, is understood to not be interested.

Councillor Hodgson said: "Adrian has been an excellent leader, it's been a difficult five years and he's been able to manage the finances and allow this council to perform well.

"He'll be sadly missed as the leader, it's very sad for him and came very much as a shock."

The final cabinet member Councillor John Campion is standing for the role of police and crime commissioner in May, effectively ruling him out of the contest - despite some colleagues today suggesting he would, in theory, be the only other contender able to realistically challenge Councillor Geraghty.

Adrian Hardman will remain a backbench councillor, representing his division of Bredon until the May 2017 elections, a position worth £9,110 a year from April.

But he will lose £31,075 for his role as leader once he formally quits next month.

He also waved taking an additional £9,000 as leader of the Tory group, but that extra top-up will be available to the next candidate if they opt to take it.

Councillor Hardman was first elected back in March 2000 and rose to become cabinet member for finance, before taking on the top job after the George Lord scandal.

* To see Councillor Adrian's resignation statement from earlier today click HERE.

* To see how we broke the story of him being arrested and charged with drink driving, go HERE.