A FORMER chairman of Batchley Residents' Association has been elected as the new Redditch Mayor.

Councillor Dot Dudley has been on the council for five years. She is a widow and has four children.

She first joined the council after years of involvement with the residents' association.

Mrs Dudley said: "I felt I could help further if I was on the council and I feel that has happened.

"I plan to continue doing this as mayor - helping people to the best of my ability."

Mrs Dudley is a governor of Pitcheroak School and Batchley First School and has chosen the Blue Cross animal welfare organisation, in Bromsgrove, and Redditch Special Olympics as her mayoral charities.

The new deputy mayor is Councillor Steve Wheeler, who has lived in the town for 16 years.

Mr Wheeler said: "I will do my best to support our new mayor. During my time with the council, I feel I've learned the ropes enough to do a good job for townsfolk."

Former mayor Mark Shurmer said: "It's been an absolutely fantastic year, we've been made to feel so welcome.

"I hope I've raised many issues affecting youth and I hope these issues are now higher on the agenda than they had been previously.

"I know entertainment for youngsters in Redditch isn't what it should be but we're listening to people and trying to change the situation. We realise there's still a long way to go.

"I wish the new mayor luck and hope she enjoys it as much as I have."