ONE of Worcester's best known former politicians is making another attempt at a comeback - this time challenging an ex-council leader.

Francis Lankester, who used to be part of the Conservative leadership at Worcester City Council, will be contesting the Rainbow Hill seat in May's local elections.

The outspoken Tory, who served 13 years on the authority before being voted out in 2012, tried to win back his old Cathedral seat in 2014 only to miss out by 198 votes after a bruising contest against Jabba Riaz.

This newspaper can reveal how he has secured the nomination in Rainbow Hill, an historically solid Labour seat held by Councillor Adrian Gregson, who led the authority in 2012/13.

The nomination of Mr Lankester, who spent several years in the city's Conservative cabinet, has already led to a war of words between the two.

The Tories insist they are adamant they can pull off a shock result, saying people believe it is "time for a change", but Labour has called it "an election ploy".

We revealed back in November how the Conservatives had launched a Rainbow Hill branch to try and get activists operating regularly in the ward.

Mr Lankester said: "Rainbow Hill ward has been in Labour hands for too long, and residents can see for themselves it's time for a change.

"This area needs new councillors who will speak up for them and their issues at the council - Labour has taken this area for granted for too long.

"People say they have not heard from them, and that there are issues that no one seems to be tackling."

He said he was already working with a group of local people to try and bring back the Brickfields fireworks.

But Councillor Gregson, who was re-elected with a majority of 382 in 2012, said: "I've been representing the area since 1992, I live in the area, people know me and there's a range of different issues and concerns I'm dealing with.

"I've not yet seen Mr Lankester around, or any sign of political activity by the Conservative Party, nor have I seen them since this so-called branch started.

"I'd imagine this is purely an election ploy and that they don't have any interest in the ward at all, because if they did they'd have addressed things by now."

Both UKIP and the Green Party are also set to contest the ward, with the deadline for nominations this Friday.

The local elections are being held on Thursday, May 5.