THERE was bitterness as the Hayley Green and Cradley South ward went to the polls, with the bad feeling culminating in an alleged shoving incident.

Ken Turner, fellow councillor and husband of victor Hazel Turner and her closest rival Labour's Ian Cooper were involved in a minor altercation at Cornbow Hall.

The incident, as the pair returned to their supporters after Tory Mrs Turner's win was announced, prompted a policeman who was present to move closer to keep an eye on the situation.

Cllr Turner and Ian Cooper each claimed the other shoved him to the Halesowen News.

Cllr Turner said Ian Cooper pushed him as he walked past and Mr Cooper said: "Councillor Turner pushed me into the wall, I have witnesses."

The tension mounted earlier in the evening as ballots were being counted when cllr Ken Turner accused Ian Cooper of being a bully.

In her victory speech Hazel Turner thanked BNP's Robert Weale for a "fair fight" but said she couldn't say the same for Mr Cooper to shouts of "disgrace" from the hall.

It appears the bad blood started when Mr Cooper challenged Hazel Turner to a debate in the run up to the election.

Mr Cooper said: "If Hazel Turner can't stand up for herself and take part in a debate then I don't know what she is doing as a councillor."