Real Labour: Book charting the life of Lord Bilston launched by brother

Real Labour launched at St Martin's Church in his native Bradley.

The man who went on to be known as Lord Bilston died of cancer earlier this year.

The staunch union man was born, raised and educated in Bradley and his brother Bert said the venue was a fitting location for the launch.

Husband and wife team Frank Reeves and Mel Chevannes compiled the book from interviews with Lord Bilston during the final months of his life.

They also spoke to colleagues, friends and family and an emotional Bert spoke of his pride at the finished work during Saturday's launch.

Bert, a councillor for Bilston East, thanks the biographers for their excellent work in difficult circumstances.

He said: "I'm delighted the book has been done and I'm even more delighted by the response of the people.

"They're all Bradley people and they all turned up for the launch which went very well - there were people I haven't seen for many years."

Money raised from the book will go to Compton Hospice, which cared for Lord Bilston in his final months.

The title Real Labour is a reference to his 'old fashioned socialism' and the privilege he felt at representing the place where he lived, work and would eventually die.

The book charts his Black Country upbringing, working as a salesman and market trader, as well as a stock taker at Bilston's steelworks.

He then became Wolverhampton's youngest ever councillor aged just 23, in 1966.

The book looks at his rise through the political ranks, becoming deputy leader of the council in 1980 and then successfully running for Parliament in 1987, winning the Wolverhampton South East seat. He would later become a Lord and was granted Freedom of the City in 2007.