WYRE Forest Green Party is celebrating its first town councillor after Tory Anna Coleman quit the Conservatives and defected to them.

Councillor Coleman, who sits on Bewdley Town Council, handed in her written resignation to the Wyre Forest Conservative Association earlier this week before making the move over to the Greens.

She cited the Green Party’s commitment to tackling pollution issues in the local area as her main reason for joining them.

Councillor Coleman had only been a member of the Conservative Party since 2014, which is the same year she won her seat on Bewdley Town Council.

It is another blow to the Tories in Bewdley, following Gordon Yarranton’s decision in June to resign and serve as an independent.

She said: “Now is the right time to join the Greens. I have been very concerned about air pollution in Welch Gate for some time, and feel that the potential new housing development off Lakes Road is sure to compound the traffic problem.

“I am frustrated that none of the other parties have got a plan of action to deal with such environmental issues in our local area.

“It is only the Green Party with its honesty, experience and dedicated members who have the will to do something about this problem.

“I feel that I can do more to help build a healthier Bewdley by becoming a Green Party councillor.”

“The Green Party stands for all of the things I stand for, and I have been very impressed by how hard the local party works all year round. I feel very strongly that residents should be able to trust their councillors with the things that matter.”

She has also given her full support to Vicky Lea’s September by-election campaign to become the first Green councillor on Kidderminster Town Council.

Councillor Coleman added: “I have spoken with Vicky about her campaign and can see how much of a difference she will make as a councillor. She is a real breath of fresh air.”