THE new Mayor of Dudley will raise money to help cancer patients and wildlife trusts during his mayoral year.

Councillor David Stanley, who was mayor in 2007, is reprising his role as the borough's first citizen after being boosted back into office by the Conservatives as part of a Tory plan to seize control from Labour.

Installing Cllr Stanley, who represents Gornal, as the new mayor ensured the Tories were able to take back power at last Thursday's council meeting as outgoing Conservative mayor Councillor Alan Taylor bowed out following a year in office.

Cllr Stanley will be accompanied by former council leader, Councillor Anne Millward, as his consort and together the pair will spend their time raising the profile of good causes, celebrating diverse communities and championing businesses in the borough.

The mayor's chosen charities for the year will be Macmillan Cancer Support and Wildlife Trusts Birmingham and Black Country.

He said: "It is a real honour to have been chosen to serve the people of this borough as Mayor of Dudley. It gives me a unique opportunity to visit communities all over the borough as well as raise vital money for two important charities.

"I hope people will be able to give generously and help these worthy causes continue having a big impact on people’s lives."

Last year's mayor-in-waiting, Councillor Hilary Bills, who represents Halesowen North, will continue to serve as Deputy Mayor of Dudley for a second year with her husband as consort.

People can keep up-to-date with the mayoral activities, invite the borough's first citizen to events and donate online to charity online at mayorofdudley.org.uk