CONSERVATIVE and Liberal Democrat groups on Herefordshire Council are vying to form a ruling coalition with the Independents.

Ledbury councillor Don Rule, who has now stepped down as Independent leader, said the group was prepared to support one of the other two parties to create a majority.

New group leader coun George Hyde (Tupsley) confirmed "horse-trading" was currently taking place.

A Liberal Democrat when he stood down from the council in 2000, he said his previous allegiance would have no effect on the outcome.

Coun Rule said policy concessions and places on the ruling cabinet were being used as bargaining chips.

Apart from his cabinet place for education, which he wants to keep, he would not say which posts were involved, but added that group allegiance alone should not qualify people for places.

"You've got to have horses for courses," he said. "People who are holding a portfolio have to have either a very sincere interest in it or have experience."

He denied that being part of a group compromised Independent councillors' independence, saying they had to band together in order to be represented on the cabinet.

He pointed out that the group did not have a whip, allowing members to vote freely, and added that consultation took place before cabinet-level decisions were made.

The independent group benefited most from the May 1 poll, which saw a record 61 per cent turnout in the county, an increase on 38 per cent in 2000. This made it the most successful pilot postal voting scheme in the country.

The new council, reduced from 60 seats to 58 thanks to boundary changes, is made up of 16 Liberal Democrats, 17 Independents, 21 Conservatives and four Labour councillors.

One of the biggest shocks of the night was the defeat of long-standing Green councillor Guy Woodford by Robert Manning, a Conservative, in Frome ward. Meanwhile, in Bromyard, town crier Peter Dauncey captured one of two seats.