A NEW employee has been taken on by a team which helps Halesowen businesses - and she's set to become a familiar face around town.

Ellie Hunt has started work as an ambassador for Halesowen's Business Improvement District (BID) team.

The 35-year-old, who used to work in administration for an Oldbury firm, will identify and report issues such as graffiti, homelessness and will work closely with Police Community Support Officers (PCSOs) on issues affecting the community.

Ellie has joined BID manager Vicky Rogers, as the team's second employee. She is working 30 hours a week.

She said: "I'm really enjoying it, I'm loving being out in the community.

"I'm building relations with the businesses so I can get a feel for what the BID does and how I can have an impact."

Ellie, who is married with a three-year-old son, runs a Slimming World group at The Stag and Three Horseshoes in Halesowen on Thursdays after shedding more than three stone.

Former BID ambassador Rob Eades left the role earlier this year.

Business Improvement Districts are created through a ballot process to deliver additional services to local businesses. Each business across the BID area has to pay a 1.25 per cent levy towards BID work which aims to attract interest and investment to the town.