THIS year’s Black Country Festival came to a close at the weekend with a show of sporting fair play at the Mayor of Dudley’s charity walking football match.

The Mayor, Councillor Steve Waltho, invited councillors, friends and the community to join him at Mary Stevens Park.

Six 5-a-side teams went head to head in games of walking football, a new adaptation of the real game where sprinting, running and jogging are banned.

The teams, who played in a round robin format, raised around £315 for the mayor’s charities; The Hope Centre, The What Centre, Georgina Unit, More Mascots Please and West Midlands Lupus.

Stourbridge Fairtrade donated three Bala Fairtrade footballs to the competition and the group also attended the day to provide information on their campaign work.

Cllr Waltho said: “The walking football tournament was a brilliantly sporting way to close the second annual Black Country Festival.

“Walking football allowed us to be inclusive, have fun, get fit and raise money for my charities.

“Thanks to everyone involved, the players, organisers and Stourbridge Fairtrade for donating the footballs.”

People can also donate online to the mayor’s charities by going to mydonate.bt.com/charities/mayorofdudleyscharities