FOUR long-serving former councillors have been bestowed with one of the highest honours in the Dudley borough.

Ex-councillors David Blood, Rachel Harris, Melvyn Mottram and Elizabeth Walker have been awarded honorary alderman and women titles for their combined 76 years of serving of their communities.

The title is one of the highest honours awarded by Dudley Council and recognises outstanding service to the borough.

Councillor David Stanley, new 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 until 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 to 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 for Brierley Hill this year after serving as a councillor for 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.

The awards were confirmed at the last full council meeting on May 16 and they will be formally presented at a later date.