A BROMSGROVE man has become leader of Worcestershire County Council for what is believed to be the first time.

With the largest single number of seats, the Conservatives will lead the council despite not having a clear majority -- because other parties have been unable to agree a coalition to challenge them.

Conservative leader Cllr Dr George Lord (Alvechurch), who lives in Marlbrook, will therefore also lead the council.

No deputy leader was elected as no party has overall control.

All the portfolio holders - responsible for a particular service - are Conservatives, with Cllr June Longmuir (Con, Bromsgrove South) taking the lead on education and lifelong learning.

Cllr Russ Clayton (Lab, Bromsgrove North) chairs the scrutiny panel for education, while Cllr Joy Bushby (Con, Woodvale) will lead the panel for environment and sustainability.

Conservatives will have only six seats on the executive cabinet, with seven distributed among Labour, the Liberal Democrats and health campaigners in Wyre Forest, making it a 'minority administration'.

Cllr Lord said: "We would have to rely on the tacit support of others."

He said the priority for a Conservative administration will be to establish a structure of local government according to the Government's new rules and to obtain better funding for Worcestershire.

It was a proud moment for Bromsgrove to produce a council leader for what he believed would be the first time, he said.