AFTER blitzing the ballot box at district, county and constituency level, Health Concern is now gunning for town council seats.

The party formed amid protests at the downgrading of Kidderminster Hospital has extended its battle to fight Bewdley Town Council at the local elections on May 2.

Among the most intriguing confrontations for the authority will be in East Ward where husband and wife Labour candidates Paul and Carol Gittins, currently town mayor, will be up against Health Concern couple Frank and Mavis Baillie.

Mr Baillie is currently chairman of Wyre Forest District Council.

The four successful candidates from the three town council wards will form the 12-strong authority.

Health Concern chairman Malcolm Cooper said: "There is a feeling that maybe we're not reaching people in some areas at the grassroots.

"This is an opportunity for people in Bewdley to say how satisfied or dissatisfied they are with their town council.

" We're really feeling our way here. But we have reason to believe there is a certain amount of disquiet in general; a feeling that local authorities are not taking sufficient notice of what the public really wants."

He added: "Wyre Forest MP Dr Richard Taylor and Health Concern in general have developed a rapport with everyone which is standing us in good stead.

"The changes in health services which are being developed by the Royal College of Physicians and others would not have happened without the influence Health Concern has had.

"There is something nationally known as the Kidderminster effect."

Town councillor Carol Gittins, who is Mayor of Bewdley, said: "The different parties on the town council work extremely well together. It's not at all political.

"We don't get paid for the job but we all work extremely hard and we all have Bewdley at heart."

Meanwhile, two prominent councillors are bowing out from Wyre Forest District Council.

Former authority chairman John Gordon and David Lewis, a former vice chairman, have decided not to stand.

Mr Gordon, who will continue to serve as county councillor for Stourport Mitton and leader of Health Concern at county level, said he would miss his work as a district councillor.

He said: "It's been a very important part of my life but like all things there comes a time when you have to move on.

"The extra work at county level means it is not possible to do justice to both roles and so I will concentrate on work at a county level."

Mr Gordon, who was three times chairman of the district council, was originally a Labour councillor before he left over the transfer of council housing to a private/public partnership.

He has recently served under the Health Concern banner after a brief spell as an independent.