WORCESTER'S opposition Labour group has reshuffled its pack - with a former parliamentary candidate appointed its new deputy leader.

Councillor Joy Squires has taken on the mantle as deputy boss behind group leader Adrian Gregson in a new-look shadow cabinet.

The role means an even higher profile for Councillor Squires, who took on Worcester MP Robin Walker for the city parliamentary seat in May's General Election and finished 5,646 votes behind in second place.

The main opposition party has also given Councillor Lynn Denham a new role as opposition spokeswoman for commissioning.

It comes amid a drive by the Conservative leadership to try and outsource bin collections, street sweeping and parks maintenance by 2017 in a bid to save £500,000 a year.

Councillors Richard Boorn, Matthew Lamb and Geoff Williams, who is no longer deputy leader, will carry on being responsible for finance, the cleaner and greener department and economic prosperity respectively.

Elsewhere, former city mayor Councillor Roger Berry will shadow the work on housing while Councillor Paul Denham will work on community safety, CCTV, regulatory Services, health and environmental issues.

Councillor Gregson said: "This a great team to hold to account the Conservative administration.

"We will use every opportunity to put forward our vision and policies and demonstrate that the delivery of services to the public by local public service is the most effective, efficient and accountable way of delivering good local government in the city and not, as the Tories seem to want, the end of Worcester as we know it."

But the Tory administration has responded by reiterating its desire to work with more outside organisations on providing services.

But Councillor Simon Geraghty, city council leader, said: "Labour's approach when in power let to cuts in frontline services, higher parking charges and a noticeable drop in standards in areas such as street cleaning.

"In contrast we have reversed Labour's cuts and parking increases and yet improved service standards.

"We can do this because we are willing to work with other providers to ensure we get value for money for taxpayers rather than trying to do everything ourselves in house. "This sensible and pragmatic approach will help us to sustain a broad range of quality services whilst still investing in Worcester to make it an even better place."