THE Green Party earned another impressive win against the Conservatives for a place on the county council.

Andrew Cross came out on top in the Warndon division for a place on Worcestershire County Council in a by-election held following the death of long-standing councillor Andy Roberts.

The impressive victory for the Greens saw Cllr Cross earn 1,139 votes in the Tory stronghold and pick up another win at the expense of the Conservatives.

Cllr Cross earned 44 per cent of the vote – with the Conservatives slipping from a 60 per cent share in 2021 to just 25 per cent on Thursday.

Lucy Hodgson, who is the current chair of Warndon Parish Council, was unsuccessful in her attempt to return to County Hall – finishing in second place with 623 votes, nearly half fewer than the 1,139 earned by Cllr Cross and the Greens.

Sarah Murray, who was recently elected for the Lib Dems in Warndon Parish North on Worcester City Council, did not earn successive victories and finished third with 579 votes.

Labour’s Robyn Norfolk finished fourth with 239 votes.

The double success in Warndon meant a Green councillor was elected to represent the area on both Worcester City Council and Worcestershire County Council.

Cllr Cross already represents Warndon Parish South on Worcester City Council having won in elections in May and Katie Collier was elected to represent the Warndon Parish South ward in the early hours of Friday morning.

Two by-elections were held on Thursday (October 19) following the death of long-standing Conservative councillor Andy Roberts in August – with both of his places on Worcester City Council and Worcestershire County Council up for grabs.

The last election in Warndon Parish division saw Andy Roberts re-elected by a landslide with a majority of more than 1,300 votes. He had held the seat since 2009 and had been a county councillor since 2001 having previously represented the city’s Claines division for eight years.

Cllr Andrew Cross said: “We’re thrilled with both results. The support we’ve received has been unbelievable, and now we’re in a position to repay that support with hard work and dedication, on both the city and county councils.

“We’re certainly not looking to rest on our laurels anytime soon.”