New mayor elected in Sandwell

Councillor Ahmadul Haque MBE has been appointed mayor and has been joined by councillor Susan Eaves as deputy mayor.

Cllr Haque replaces councillor Julie Webb in the post.

He has announced the two charities he will support are Midlands Air Ambulance Charity and Your Trust Charity, run by Sandwell and West Birmingham Hospitals NHS Trust.

Cllr Haque said: “This is the proudest moment for me to be honoured with the position of the Mayor of Sandwell and I pledge to serve the residents of Sandwell with all sincerity."

Amanda Winwood, Your Trust Charity membership academy manager, said: "We are thrilled to be one of the Mayor of Sandwell’s chosen charities this year and we look forward to working with him and enhancing the experience of all people using our services including staff, patients and their families."

Adam Williams, fundraising manager for Midlands Air Ambulance Charity in the West Midlands added: "Midlands Air Ambulance Charity receives no government or National Lottery funding, so the support from the Mayor of Sandwell will help to raise vital funds."