New Mayor of Dudley Councillor David Stanley has revealed his "pride and honour" at taking on the role.

The Gornal councillor, first elected in the town in 1987, is also looking forward to finding out more about the southern half of the borough while undertaking his 12-month post.

He was elected to the post at Dudley Council's annual meeting last Thursday (May 18).

Hayley Green and Cradley South councillor Ray Burston was elected as deputy mayor and Belle Vale councillor Jill Nicholls will be the Mayor's consort during the year.

The new Mayor of Dudley, cllr Stanley said: "It's my great pride and honour to become Mayor of this Dudley. I've been impressed with the amount of talented people there are in this borough.

"I have always been very conversant with the northern half of the borough and I look forward to finding out more about the southern half."

Speaking at the meeting, re-elected Dudley Council Leader David Caunt said cllr Stanley had already served an "apprenticeship" in the role last autumn during Cllr John Woodall's absence due to ill-health.

Cllr Stanley's chosen charities during his term will be the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) and Alzheimer's Society.

Cllr Charles Fraser-Macnamara was also re-elected as Deputy Leader of the council.