A FAMILIAR face will be competing for victory in Claines for the Conservatives at the upcoming county council election.

Worcester city councillor Chris Mitchell will be hoping to keep hold of the city’s Claines division for the Conservatives following the news that current councillor Andy Stafford will not be standing for re-election in May.

Cllr Stafford announced on Monday (February 1) that he would not be contesting his seat again after first being elected in 2017.

Cllr Mitchell, who has represented the city’s St Clement ward for the last decade and is deputy leader of the city council’s Conservatives, put himself forward for the Claines seat at the 2017 election but outgoing councillor Andy Stafford was chosen instead.

Cllr Mitchell said: “I applied to represent Claines at the county elections four years ago, but was unsuccessful, so it isn’t like I have no background with the division. I am keen to ensure that Claines retains its enviable reputation as a wonderful place to live, to do that I shall strive to ensure that any future development is sympathetic with the existing nature of the division and will protect the beauty and green space in Claines.”

Cllr Stafford said: “It was a very difficult decision to not stand again as I hate to think that I am letting people down. To get the best for your residents you need to dedicate a lot of time to the role, time I unfortunately no longer have due to both increasing work demands and family commitments.

"I’d like to thank everybody that has helped me win my elections and supported me during my time as county councillor for Claines and I offer my best wishes to my successor.”

Cllr Stafford said his proudest moment was helping secure the return of the 37 bus service after it was withdrawn as well as overseeing several pavements resurfaced in Claines and extending the 30mph speed limit on Ombersley Road.