Two former Conservative councillors say they could no longer best serve their residents while staying in the party.

Maxine Clark and Heather Blurton are now sitting as independent members on Stoke-on-Trent City Council, both having served as Tory councillors since 2019.

Their departure from the opposition Conservative group on Friday morning coincided with group leader Dan Jellyman's defection to Reform UK.

Cllr Clark and Cllr Jellyman both represent Hanford, Newstead and Trentham, along with non-aligned councillor Rachel Kelsall, another former Conservative – the party secured a clean sweep in the ward in 2023.

Cllr Blurton is the councillor for Bucknall and Eaton Park ward. In a joint statement, the Cllrs Clark and Blurton said they would continue to serve residents in their wards following their change in political allegiance.

They said: "Having reflected carefully and, with regret, we no longer feel that we can best serve our residents in Stoke-on-Trent, whilst also remaining members of the Conservative Party.

"Our commitment will not waver and we will continue to serve our residents to the same high standards. We will keep putting local people first and work constructively with anyone who shares that goal.

"We will continue to speak up where decisions aren't in residents' interests, particularly where Labour's draft local plan risks building on much loved green spaces. Above all, we'll ensure your voice is heard on the issues that matter in the communities we proudly serve."

Friday's departures leaves the Conservative group with 10 members – the party won 14 seats in the 2023 elections.

Dean Richardson, chairman of Stoke-on-Trent Conservative Federation, said it was 'very disappointing' that the three councillors had left the party, but insisted the Tories would 'continue to work hard as a team for residents across Stoke-on-Trent'.

The city council is run by the Labour group, which holds 27 of the authority's 44 seats.

There are now two Reform UK councillors, one Potteries Party councillor one City Independent, and three independent or non-aligned councillors.