A LEADING Liberal has admitted her party is "bemused" to find itself with as many district council seats as Labour, the Liberal Democrats and independents put together following the elections.

But Fran Oborski, who held her seat - notching more votes than any other councillor in the whole county with 1,086 - and has since been re-elected leader of the Wyre Forest Liberal group, was thrilled last Thursday as it increased its representation on the council from five to seven.

Rob Wheway and Graham Ballinger ousted sitting councillors David Gourley (Independent) and Jane Paterson (Health Concern) in Broadwaters and Greenhill respectively.

Mrs Oborski, who has represented Offmore and Comberton for 30 years, said: "May 1 was a great night for us. We not only gained two seats but were the only party on the council not to lose a seat."

She stressed the party had registered the two biggest majorities on the council in holding Offmore and Comberton and gaining Greenhill, and had also emerged triumphant in the five-candidate race for Broadwaters.

The result marks the latest stage in a line of steady growth for the party, which had only three members on the council in 1996.

The Liberals have consistently backed Dr Richard Taylor but criticised members of his party at district level.

And Mrs Oborski said the hospital protest group would need to take a warning from this year's events.

"Health Concern is going to find it much harder. If they carry on the way they have done, they are in for a total pasting next year."