ONE of Worcester's best-known public figures is fighting a shock de-selection battle, it has emerged.

The Worcester News can reveal how Councillor Derek Prodger - the region's elected fire chief - could be booted out of his Bedwardine seat at Worcestershire County Council by his own party.

It would mean the end of the veteran Conservative's 34-year-old political career, as well as his five-year high profile spell as chairman of Hereford & Worcester Fire Authority.

The former Mayor of Worcester retired from the city council in May, but wants to carry on at Worcestershire County Council in the 2017 elections.

But Worcester Conservative Association has decided to interview other people for the ultra-safe Tory seat after other names put themselves in the frame.

One of them is believed to be Councillor Marc Bayliss, a cabinet member who currently represents St Peter's, while fellow Tory Councillor Alan Amos is sniffing around for a new seat to avoid standing again in Warndon, a solid Labour area.

Due to so many Conservative members being interested in grabbing a seat at County Hall, party officials have decided to allow sitting councillors to select three preferred seats, rather than just one.

A selection panel has decided to hold interviews for Bedwardine today, with Councillor Prodger's career on the line.

The 79-year-old has only opted for Bedwardine, saying he is not interested in moving anywhere else after so many years in the area.

"You would hope loyalty counts for something - I have been loyal to them over the years," he said.

"I would hope all my hard work stands me in good stead, and my dedication."

Some sources close to the situation say Councillor Prodger has been left "surprised" and disappointed by the competition.

Councillor Bayliss said: "There will be competition in every seat.

"We are in the fortunate position of having more candidates than seats, I don't think any of us will be unopposed."

Councillor Amos, who was elected to his Warndon seat for Labour before quitting the party, said he did not want to get involved.

"I am not making any comments at all about Conservative Party matters," he said.

It is far from the first time the party has ran into selection issues at County Hall - in 2013 Councillor Lucy Hodgson was de-selected from her Worcester seat and had to find a new one in Malvern.

Councillor Prodger was first elected in 1982 on the city council, before getting a seat on the old Hereford and Worcester County Council and staying on when Worcestershire County Council was formed in 1998.

He is a former cabinet member at County Hall, and suffered a heart attack back in March, but always made it clear he wanted to carry on.