Four people who have spent a combined 76 years serving their communities have been bestowed with one of the highest honours in Dudley borough.

Councillors in Dudley awarded the title honorary aldermen and women to four people at a meeting of the full council last week; long–serving former councillors David Blood, Rachel Harris, Melvyn Mottram and Elizabeth Walker.

All four have served their communities as councillors holding titles such as Mayor and cabinet member during their time in office. It is one of the highest honours awarded by Dudley Council and recognises outstanding service to the borough. Councillor David Stanley, Mayor of Dudley, said:

"These four people served the borough tirelessly as councillors and I am delighted to be able to recognise their commitment in this way. They were all senior, influential figures at this authority serving in senior roles, making a huge difference to the lives of the people of this borough.

It is an honour to have served alongside them and fitting to mark their achievements at the council.”

Melvyn Mottram was Mayor of Dudley in 2012 raising £50,000 for charity. He was key to the borough’s Olympics celebrations when the games were held in London and marked the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee celebrations during his year in office. He served as the member for Coseley ward from 1995 to this year.

Mr Blood was cabinet member for finance overseeing and implementing the council’s budget proposals. He spent 13 years as an elected member, serving the Kingswinford South ward from 2003-2016

Ms Harris also served as cabinet member for procurement, transformation and commercialisation as well as health and wellbeing. She stepped down as an elected member this year after serving as a councillor for a total 25 years.

Mrs Walker was ward councillor for Amblecote and Wollaston from 1978 to 1984 and then for Amblecote ward from 2006 to 2014. During that time she was also cabinet member for children’s services for several years.

They will be formally presented with their honours at a later date.