TONIGHT'S meeting of the full council at Dudley Council had to be suspended after former council leader David Sparks was found slumped in his seat.

Councillor Sparks, who represents Quarry Bank, is reported to have been suffering from slight high blood pressure and arrhythmia (irregular heartbeat).

The meeting has since resumed, following a ten-minute break in proceedings, and the veteran Labour councillor is being checked over  by medics.

Cllr Sparks suffered a similar brief loss of consciousness a few years ago during a Parliamentary hearing which he was attending as part of his Local Government Association role - shortly before he relinquished his position as leader of the authority.