VETERAN district councillor John Wardle was finally given the cold shoulder by voters.

The 81-year-old Labour stalwart - who has twice been chairman of Wyre Forest District Council - lost his Wolverley seat to Tory Nigel Addison.

It was also contested by Health Concern's Frank Baillie.

Mr Wardle was first elected to the district council following local government re-organisation in 1974.

Mr Wardle, awarded an MBE in 1968, began his council career in 1949 when he was elected to the former Kidderminster Rural District Council and he remains a Wolverley parish councillor.