Defeated David vows to fight on

11:34am Friday 2nd May 2008

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DEFEATED Lib Dem David Lavender has vowed to come back stronger after he was ousted from Dudley Council.

During a night of election shocks at the 2008 local election count in Brierley Hill, the ex-Kingswinford North and Wall Heath councillor said he was "gutted" about losing to Tory candidate Denise Harley.

Tories were also celebrating a surprise win in Brookmoor and Pensnett where Susan Greenaway scored a victory in the previously solid Labour ward.

The newly elected councillor said she was "over the moon" after winning a council seat at her first attempt.

Cllr Greenaway said: "I am going to work hard to help as many people as possible."

She added nationwide unpopularity of the Labour Party had helped her during the campaign.

On a bleak night for Labour, the party had something to celebrate after Margaret Wilson retained her seat in the Brierley Hill ward by a margin of 227 votes over Tory Steven Ridley.

Quarry Bank voters also backed Labour by returning Cllr Bryan Cotterill.

A delighted Cllr Cotterill vowed to work for young people and campaign for a BMX track and multi-use games area in the ward.

Tory Cllr David Blood retained his seat in Kingswinford South and paid tribute to an election night dominated by Conservative success.

Cllr Blood said: "Its an excellent result for the borough and a new era for Dudley council."