Ex-mayor dies of rare cancer

A former mayor of Walsall has died suddenly after being diagnosed with a rare blood disease, his family said today.

Bloxwich West Councillor Melvin Pitt, 56, died at New Cross Hospital in Wolverhampton last night about two hours before polling stations closed. Councillor Pitt's brother Des, a councillor in the same ward, told how Melvin complained of feeling unwell while campaigning.

After visiting Walsall Manor Hospital, he was later transferred to New Cross Hospital diagnosed with a rare disorder of the blood.

His treatment began yesterday when the father-of-five underwent a plasma transfusion at New Cross.

But during the process he suffered a seizure. After waking up briefly from the fit councillor died suddenly at around 8pm.

"He was telling doctors right up until yesterday that he should be getting back out to help win the election," his brother said.

"He was a key figure in local politics whether it was in the shop window or in the background. His family and friends are just completely shocked."

Melvin, of Perry Hall Drive, Summerhayes, Willenhall, was first elected as a Conservative councillor in 1976 and served as Mayor of Walsall in 2006.

He ran his own business Penkridge Furnishings based at Hollybush Garden Centre in Shareshill, Wolverhampton and had also spent time working as a sales rep at the Lichfield office of the Express & Star in 1994 and before that at Darlaston manufacturing company Rubery Owen.

He leaves wife Sheree, children Abi, Brad, Jason, Rebecca and Bradley, and three grand-children, Josh, Jake and Liam.

Abi is standing for the Willenhall North Ward at the local council election and was her father's mayoress in 2006.