FORMER Mayor of Dudley and popular former Amblecote councillor Pat Martin has died after a short illness.

The stalwart Conservative politician, who was made an Honorary Alderman of Dudley in 2015, passed away on Wednesday November 29.

Elected in 2000 to Dudley Council – she was a dedicated councillor serving the Amblecote ward of Stourbridge until she retired in 2015.

In 2009/10 she served as Mayor of Dudley with great gusto, with her late husband Bill at her side as her consort.

She was also a prominent figure in the council’s cabinet – as lead member for personnel, legal and property, and she was a key figure on a number of council committees during her time in office.

Councillor Patrick Harley, leader of Dudley Council, described her as “well-liked and well-respected across the whole council chamber” and he said: “She was intelligent, vocal and had a great sense of humour. She’d fight for what she believed in, and you knew she was doing it with honesty, integrity and spirit.

“She was a wonderful local councillor, serving the people of the borough for 15 years. She took naturally to the role of Mayor, knowing the importance of the office but also able to have great fun with it when the occasion arose.

“I am so glad we were able to recognise her contributions when we made her Honorary Alderman in 2015, something that Pat hadn’t expected, but was deeply honoured to receive.

“We were so fortunate to have served with Pat, she was a remarkable woman, morally upright, strong and kind. She will be much missed.”

In her younger years - Pat had also served on North Bedfordshire Borough Council from 1974 to 1983 and she was Mayor of Kempson in Bedfordshire for two consecutive years.

She was also a qualified teacher - serving as deputy headmistress of an English speaking school in Gran Canaria until she retired to Stourbridge.

Widowed a few years ago, Pat is survived by her two children from her first marriage - Simon and Lyndsey.

Funeral arrangements have yet to be confirmed.