THE Conservatives were officially voted in as the ruling party on Wyre Forest District Council last night - and members immediately found themselves at loggerheads with opposing groups over the controversial schools review.

No sooner had the Tories taken over the administration - after major elections gains last month - than an opposition party sparked a row over the education shake-up.

Tensions rose following a motion urging the council to make known its opposition to a two-tier system in district schools.

Alternative measures to retain the three-tier system of first, middle and high schools should instead be drawn up before the crunch decision is taken by Worcestershire County Council's cabinet, said the Liberal Party motion.

Liberal leader Mike Oborski said it was the council's last chance to make clear its feelings on the review - but Tory leader Stephen Clee said it was a matter for the county council and abstained from the vote with the majority of his party members.

Tory June Salter accused opposition councillors of playing "political games".

Mr Oborski, however, was adamant the council should speak out against the plans, which could be voted through by the county cabinet on Monday.

His wish was granted with a majority of councillors supporting the motion. Twenty-four voted in favour and there were 15 abstentions.

He said: "This is the only occasion where we will be able to vote on this issue because we won't have a vote at county hall."

Fellow Liberal councillor Graham Ballinger said the lack of the council's "political influence" did not mean they had to remain silent. "It is really important to send a message to the cabinet that the proposals put forward are fundamentally flawed," he added.

Mr Clee, the new leader of the district council, said he supported the switch to two-tier but insisted it was a county matter.

"We are going to invest in the schools in this district and bring them up to be fit for the children in this area," he said.

It was the first meeting of the 42-member council since the June 10 elections - when 14 new faces were voted in - and the Tories wasted no time in pushing through one of their many manifesto pledges.

The structure of the council will be changed. One overview and scrutiny panel will be set up, replacing the existing four, while five policy panels will be established to mirror the roles of the cabinet members.

Meanwhile, veteran independent councillor John Simmonds was unanimously voted in as chairman of the council, which has 19 Conservative councillors running it as a minority administration.

Ken Stokes has become leader of the Health Concern group after previous party and council leader Howard Martin lost his seat, amid heavy party losses on June 10.