THE new Mayor of Dudley got an extra special welcome from Stourbridge volunteers at his first official engagement.

Councillor Melvyn Mottram was named as the Volunteering Champion for the Dudley borough at the annual celebration and welcomed by representatives from Camphill Houses and the Berith Foundation - two charities which support adults with learning disabilities.

Following visits to Ashfield Gardens and Berith Bakery, the civic group stopped off at the Cockleshell Gift Shop and Craft Centre in Worcester Street, where cllr Mottram was presented with a hand decorated commemorative plaque to mark the occasion, before he personally thanked the volunteers for their dedication with special edition Jubilee recognition certificates.

Former Mayor, cllr Michael Evans was also presented with a plaque as a thank you for spending his year in office championing good causes.

Andy Gray, Dudley CVS chief officer said: “We were delighted to recognise Cllr Evans’s support and to welcome Mayor Cllr Mottram as our new Volunteering Champion for the Dudley borough.”