WORCESTER'S defeated Labour parliamentary candidate insists she has "no regrets" about her gruelling election battle - saying it was "a huge privilege" to do the role.

Councillor Joy Squires, who lost out to Conservative Robin Walker by 5,646 votes, has also urged the party to move on from Ed Miliband quickly and "get on with the job" of offering people an alternative.

During an interview with your Worcester News, she said:

- Mr Walker benefited from a "collapse" in Lib Dem support across Worcester, but admitted the outcome was unlikely to be any different even if the yellow vote had held up

- She is "disappointed" that Barnsley MP Dan Jarvis, a former soldier and early bookies' favourite to be the next Labour leader, has ruled himself out the contest

- Labour MPs are wrong to suggest it could take 10 years to return to power, saying that approach could lead to people "losing confidence" in them

Cllr Squires said: "I've relished the campaign, it's been a huge privilege to be Labour's parliamentary candidate, to meet so many people and get to know so much about what makes Worcester tick.

"So I have no regrets at all, the team I was able to build was fantastic.

"We've got a good base to work from and that's testimony to a great team."

The city's Lib Dem backing collapsed from 9,525 votes in 2010 to just 1,667 last Thursday, mirroring the rest of the country.

Cllr Squires said: "The very severe collapse in Lib Dem support worked in Robin's favour, had that vote held up his majority may not be so large - but it was a fair win, I'm not saying it was going to be any different."

She also urged the party to move quickly in finding a new leader, insisting it was wrong to suggest the re-build needs to be long term.

"We need to be getting on with the job of offering a Labour Government five years from now, if we go around saying 'it will take 10 years' people will lose confidence," she said.

"We need to be there for people, to be a strong voice for an alternative Britain, and reach out to everyone, to offer them an inspirational life."

She added: "I am disappointed Dan Jarvis has pulled out, he possibly had the qualities to appeal to all sections of society.

"He's from a different background - we do need to think hard about what people are saying about career politicians.

"It's about having the right leader and the right team around that leader, I'm looking forward to seeing the shadow cabinet members really make an impression."

She also told your Worcester News she was determined to keep Robin Walker on his toes after the Conservative's victory.

Mr Walker has said securing improvements to Worcestershire Royal Hospital will be among his top priorities.

"Robin has never fully understood the depth of the crisis the NHS is facing - yes you need a larger A&E but that isn't the solution," she said.

"Across the piece, we've got a dysfunctional NHS."

She also said when it comes to increasing wages in Worcester, "seeing is believing".

To see Mr Walker's pledges for Worcester, click here.