WORCESTERSHIRE is in political limbo after county council elections left no party in control and no signs of a workable coalition.

The Tories were the single biggest winners after voting last Thursday, with 26 seats. But the party failed in its bid to seize control of the council, which before the election was run by a Lab-Lib Dem coalition.

Labour came second with 14 seats and the Lib Dems third with eight, losing their coalition majority. One long-standing independent member was returned in Pershore.

But the biggest upset was in Wyre Forest, where the electorate returned six candidates under the banner of Independent Kidderminster Hospital Health Concern and two as Liberal Party Focus Save Our Hospital.

Labour group leader Carol Warren was one of those who lost her seat in the same popular backlash which saw Dr Richard Taylor swept into Parliament.

Coun John Gordon, IKHHC leader, ruled out forming alliances with any political group. He said: "We were elected as independents and as such we should not start making alliances with political groups. We will consider each issue on its merits."

Tory leader George Lord said: "No final decision has been made but in all likelihood it will be a minority administration."

In the Malvern Hills area, all the sitting candidates who stood for re-election were successful.

The only change is in Link, where Barbara Watton (Lib Dem) stepped down. Beryl Hickling (Con) polled 2,768 votes, comfortably beating former town mayor David Williams (Lib Dem), who received 1,870 votes.

Coun Hickling, who was on Hereford and Worcester County Council from 1989 to 1993, said: "The whole thing is up in the air at the moment. Whatever happens, we have to make sure the funding we receive is used wisely. There are so many demands on money and Worcestershire is near the bottom of the league for funding."

Coun Tom Wells (Powick) has emerged as the Lib Dem group leader.

He said: "I'm determined that the Lib Dems will be a positive force in the new council.

"The people of Worcestershire have given us an opportunity to move away from the old adversarial style of politics and to work together in a more grown-up and constructive manner than in previous councils."