Solihull's newly-elected MP has vowed to help launch a new era of Liberal Democrat dominance in the former Tory stronghold.

Midland businesswoman Lorely Burt intends to follow up her historic victory in the General Election by helping Lib Dem councillors take control of the Conservative-held local authority.

The 50-year-old mother-oftwo said political leaders at the council had become " complacent and a bit arrogant" following a long period of Tory dominance.

Mrs Burt said the Tory members could not be trusted following their handling of development schemes at Tudor Grange Park and Shirley town centre.

The new MP also said she would be a vociferous campaigner against the expansion of Birmingham International Airport.

However, Mrs Burt said she would help spearhead a transformation of the borough's political landscape in the short term.

She said: "We are three seats from getting no overall control at Solihull and we are hoping to achieve that at the next local elections. From there, we could have a Liberal Democrat council.

"It is time that this hold the Conservatives have had on Solihull, which has gone on forever, is shaken away and a party that is more progressive and responsive to the people of Solihull takes control.

"This would have been considered to be a tall order five years ago but we have come a long way in the last three years."

Mrs Burt was critical of Tories on Solihull Council after parkland in the town centre was sold off for development to help pay for the rebuilding of Tudor Grange sports centre.

The former assistant prison governor, who won the seat with a slim majority of 279, also raised concerns about the proposed development of Shirley town centre.

She claimed the £100 million scheme would ruin the "retail individuality" of the area as it depended on a new superstore being built.

Mrs Burt said she wanted to uphold the Solihull's motto Urbs-in-Rure, which means town in the country.

She said: "I want to see a little less 'Urbs' and a bit more 'Rure'.

"I am sick of seeing developments taking place which leave us with no land to inherit to our children.

"Somebody needs to stand up to developers who are creating so many buildings in Solihull.

"It would not be so bad if affordable housing was being built.

"But it is all exclusive property which means that our children have to move out of the area because they cannot afford to live here."