Former Worcester City Council leader Marc Bayliss has failed to get a seat on Malvern Hills District Council.

Cllr Bayliss was re-appointed as the city council’s leader in May 2022 but stepped down in September to take on a new role as West Mercia’s deputy police and crime commissioner.

He also remains a county councillor and member of Worcestershire County Council’s cabinet.

After two decades at the Guildhall, he stepped down from Worcester City Council this month and instead ran for election in the district council’s Castlemorton, Welland and Wells ward.

But in yesterday’s (Thursday, May 4) vote, Cllr Bayliss polled only 489 votes - the fewest of those standing.

Independents John Gallagher and Christine Wild took the two seats that were up for grabs, gaining 864 and 727 votes respectively.

Jill Campbell got 587 votes for the Conservatives while the Liberal Democrats’ Eva Fielding got 550.

“I’m still a county councillor and there’s the deputy police commissioner job so I’m still going to be very busy,” he said.

“But it was disappointing today. I was asked fairly late on by the party to stand for Castlemorton and I gave it my all, but it didn’t happen - and that’s politics.

"The results across the country are really disappointing. A lot of very good local councillors have paid the price for what is probably a backlash against the national party.

“But we’ll fight back - we’ll be out again next weekend, knocking on doors.”

The Conservatives lost control of Worcester last night, with the council falling into no overall control.

Labour are now the biggest party on the council with 13 councillors.

It was a very good night for the Green Party, who now have 10 councillors in the Guildhall.

The Tories have eight seats and the Lib Dems four.