TWO former Tories have joined forces with Marion Winship after she announced she is to leave the fold and will in future attend Forest of Dean District Council proceedures as an 'unaligned' member.

Speaking on Tuesday from Italy where she has been holidaying Mrs Winship said the group would be called the Non-Political Alliance and its members would effectively be independents.

Asked if she knew anything about rumours of other possible defections Mrs Winship said: "I am hoping to learn more when I return. I am looking forward to getting back to work."

The decision to side with their former leader by Alan Preest (Lydney North) and Gabriella Kirkpatrick (Tidenham) means the ruling Conservative party and its cabinet are effectively balanced on a knife edge.

With the support of other parties and independents the new group are in a position to make life very difficult at the council's crucial meetings – moreso if some of the rumoured defections materialise.