Dr Taylor was one of two independents in the last Parliament

The independent candidate for Wyre Forest in Worcestershire has lost his seat to the Conservatives.

Richard Taylor, former Wyre Forest MP, was one of two independents in the last Parliament. The other, Dai Davies of Blaenau Gwent, has also lost his seat.

Dr Taylor, elected in 2001 on the issue of saving Kidderminster Hospital services, lost to Mark Garnier.

Former Home Secretary Jacqui Smith lost her seat in Redditch, Worcestershire, to Conservative Karen Lumley.

And the International Development Minister, Michael Foster, lost his seat at Worcester to Conservative Robin Walker.

Tory Bromsgrove hold

The Tories also hung on to a seat in Bromsgrove, Julie Kirkbride's former constituency.

Ms Kirkbride decided to stand down amid public outcry over her parliamentary expenses claims involving her brother Ian and her husband, fellow Tory MP Andrew Mackay.

Tory candidate Sajid Javid held the Bromsgrove seat with 22,558 votes and an 11,308 majority.

The Conservatives also won Hereford & Herefordshire South.

The seat was held by Liberal Democrat Paul Keetch who stood down.

Local elections

Jesse Norman polled 22,366 votes, a majority of 2,481 over Lib Dem candidate Sarah Carr.

Elsewhere in the county, Conservative Peter Luff polled 27,770 votes as he achieved a 15,864 majority in Mid Worcestershire over Liberal Democrat Margaret Rowley.

Harriett Baldwin achieved 27,213 votes for the Tories in West Worcestershire with her nearest challenger, Liberal Democrat Richard Burt, recording 20,409 votes.

Local council elections also took place alongside the general election in some areas, though some votes may not be counted until Friday.

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