Phil Page sworn in as new mayor of Wolverhampton

In a speech read out at the full council meeting on Wednesday evening, Councillor Milkinder Jaspal said Councillor Page 'represented and stood for what a leader should be'.

He added: "Phil is someone who has character and style. His heart and soul goes in fundraising for his charities.

"He is honest, and someone who has values they actually believe in. Phil is that someone who respects people regardless of who they are."

Mayor Page, who was deputy to his predecessor Councillor Mattu, said it was a 'great honour' to become the 160th mayor of the city.

Councillor Claire Darke was officially declared as the deputy mayor of Wolverhampton.

In a touching moment, Councillor John Reynolds hailed the late former mayor Elias Mattu and his wife Asha for their 'tremendous enthusiasm, determination and commitment' during their year as Wolverhampton mayor and mayoress.

He said Councillor Mattu had 'a big heart and big ideas and made a big difference to the city'.

Conservative leader, Councillor Wendy Thompson, praised Asha - who is now Councillor Mattu for the Graiseley ward - for her 'great courage' in supporting her husband in mayoral office.

A tribute video to the late mayor was played to the chamber, which was met with a standing ovation at the end.

Councillor Asha Mattu then received commemorative medals from new mayor Councillor Page on behalf of her late husband for their service to the city.