People have voted overwhelmingly in favour of retaining the current elections system in Dudley borough.

More than 1,500 people completed the consultation on the future of the ballot which looked at potential changes to the way people vote in the borough.

Currently, elections run every year with a year off every fourth year, but people were asked if they wanted to change to one election every four years when all 72 seats will be contested.

But more than 80 per cent of people who responded to a three-month survey opted to keep the current system where the council elects in thirds with 24 seats out of the total 72 up for grabs each election year. Councillor Patrick Harley, leader of the council, said:

“This has been a very worthwhile exercise in asking people how they want to influence the decision-making at Dudley Council.

“We can now move forward with confidence that a good number of people took part in the consultation and the electorate is happy with the way elections involve people in the democratic process.

“It's important that unlike with some consultation exercises where councils continue regardless that we actually listen to what the results tell us.

“I would like to thank everyone for taking part in the consultation.”

A total 1,529 people completed the consultation, with 1,224 people opting to keep the current system