NORTON Tory councillor Heather Rogers has announced she has quit the Conservative Party and become an independent.

The long-serving councillor, who has been on Dudley Council for a decade, says she officially resigned on February 23 - well ahead of last week's crucial budget meeting although she said she still voted with the Conservatives on the key council tax vote.

Had she decided to abstain the Mayor of Dudley, Labour councillor Mohammed Hanif, would have had the casting vote and Labour's bid to put up council tax by nearly five per cent would have won approval.

But she said: "I vote with my own conscience and on any vote like that I shall make my own decision. I have no whip - the Conservatives have no hold over me, neither do Labour."

She declined to say why she has left the party she and her husband, former councillor David Rogers, have long supported but her departure is believed to be over an issue with Stourbridge Conservative Association.

She simply said: "It was my decision to go independent. I shall continue to work for the residents and attend council meetings and community forums etc.

"I'm still an independent councillor and will be right up until my term of office ends in 2019 when I shall stand again as an independent."

She also intends to remain chairman of the Friends of Mary Stevens Park and Swinford Common.

Councillor Patrick Harley, leader of Dudley Conservatives, said it was "a shame" the differences between cllr Rogers and the party could not be resolved but he added: "Heather has been a really good ward councillor. I'm sure she'll continue to support the group and I'm grateful for that support."

Anyone wishing to contact cllr Rogers can do so by calling 01384 824939 or emailing Cllr.Heather.Rogers@dudleymbc.org.uk.