THE Conservatives have returned to power in Stourport after eight years in exile - and pledged to kick politics out of the council chamber.

The town turned blue last Thursday with the Tories picking up 11 seats, nearly double Labour's haul of six, and the Liberal Democrats winning one. The turnout was 30 per cent.

Both main parties previously had nine seats but Labour retained control due to the Mayor's casting vote.

Tory councillor Stephen Clee welcomed the party's return to the driving seat.

"Stourport always was Conservative until eight years ago when Labour won control for the first time.

"It's gone back to its roots and Labour have been routed across Stourport."

He added: "We did rather well even in Labour's safest seat in Stourport, Areley Kings East. Our candidate polled 269 votes while Vi Higgs, a former mayor, got 340.

"We took the fight into Labour's heartlands and came up trumps."

One of the new council's first tasks will be to come up with proposals for the £20,000 it has been awarded from Wyre Forest District Council as part of a district-wide pay-out to town and parish councils.

Mr Clee claimed Stourport had "suffered" from Labour's "bickering" with the district council and he vowed: "As far as I'm concerned there won't be politics in the council chamber."

Outgoing Labour councillor Carol Warren, who lost her Stourport Central seat, paid tribute to the council over the last eight years.

She said: "I think Labour members can be extremely proud of what we've achieved. We've brought dignity back to the mayoral office and the town council - it's not a laughing stock - and we've brought the finances of the town council under control."

In June 1996 a £23,000 shortfall in the council accounts was uncovered.

By 1998 the finances were back in the black.

Mrs Warren added she hoped the incoming administration, which has a four-year mandate, would push to regenerate Stourport.

"I hope they are people of enthusiasm," she said.