Former Mayor to contest key Malvern battleground

Buy photos » Former Worcester Mayor Lucy Hodgson will contest the marginal Malvern Chase division in May. 3608003NHW2

A FORMER Worcester Mayor who was left stunned after being de-selected from her county council seat is to contest a key battleground in Malvern.

Conservative councillor Lucy Hodgson was surprisingly ousted from the Nunnery division as Tory members opted for Keith Burton to stand in her place at May's County Hall elections.

But Coun Hodgson has now been chosen by her party to fight the Malvern Chase division which is held by the Liberal Democrats' Steve Brown by a slim majority of just 90.

Her main rival at the election will be Martin Lawrence who will stand as the Lib Dem candidate in place of Coun Brown who is stepping down in May.

Coun Hodgson - who also represents the city council in Warndon South and was mayor in 2009/09 - told the Standard straight after her selection she was excited by the fresh challenge Malvern offered.

"It will be a very different challenge but it's a fascinating seat because it has the Three Counties Showground in it and the Science Park as well as The Chase School. It's very different to Nunnery with different issues but I am looking forward to the challenge."

Coun Hodgson admitted she was disappointed not to be standing in Nunnery again but was not bitter about her de-selection.

"I am disappointed to be leaving Nunnery, it's where I live but it was a fair contest and I lost on the night. I just have to move forward. I am not hiding it away when I am on the doorsteps of voters and hopefully Worcester's loss will be Malvern's gain."

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