DUDLEY Council's former leader Councillor David Sparks was this morning (Tuesday) in hospital after falling ill at a meeting of the full council last night.

Cllr Sparks, cabinet member for finance and legal services, was found to have slumped in his seat while proceedings at Dudley Council House were in full swing.

The veteran Labour councillor's momentary laspe of consciousness, which saw the meeting suspended for ten minutes, was blamed on slight high blood pressure and arrhythmia (irregular heartbeat).

Proceedings later resumed without the long-serving Quarry Bank ward councillor, who was checked over by medics at the scene before being taken to hospital where he has reportedly remained overnight.

Sarah Norman, chief executive at Dudley Council, said this morning: “He is continuing to be treated in hospital and we would all like to wish him a very speedy recovery.”

Cllr Sparks, who was Dudley Council's leader for two years from 2012 to 2014, suffered a similar brief loss of consciousness in November 2014 during a committee hearing at the House of Commons which he was attending as part of his work with the Local Government Association - shortly before he relinquished his position as leader of the authority.