The Mayor of Dudley, Halesowen councillor John Woodall, is recovering at home after contracting the deadly superbug MRSA from Russells Hall Hospital.

Cllr Woodall went into hospital after breaking his leg after a fall in September.

During the period the Mayor was convalescing in Russells Hall, he contracted the MRSA bug which he describes as a "serious condition."

After spending two months in hospital, councillor Woodall was still feeling poorly and although there are no particular symptoms of the MRSA bug, he was experiencing problems including bleeding and chest pains.

The Mayor was tested for MRSA before being discharged and the results came back positive.

He said: "I am certain I did not go in to hospital with it."

As a result from contracting this superbug, councillor Woodall is now suffering with terrible sores on both feet and has to be visited regularly by the district nurse who helps to change his dressings. He said: "The district nurses have been excellent throughout and I can't praise them enough."

The nurse has also taken swabs to see if the Mayor still has MRSA so that he can be given clearance regarding his treatment and start attending functions again.

The Mayor was set to make his first appearance in months, at a ladies luncheon in Halesowen, yesterday, Wednesday (December 6), as having the superbug has affected his mobility and he has had to limit himself to places with suitable access. He is currently using a zimmer frame to get around.

He said: "I am not in a position to commit myself to future events as I still feel rotten but I do hope to feel better for Christmas."

The Dudley Group of Hospitals NHS trust made a statement but would not comment specifically on the Mayor's condition as "it would be inappropriate to discuss the Mayor's clinical condition in public."

Paul Farenden, hospital chief executive, said: "MRSA is present in the population generally and can be contracted in hospitals.

"The Trust has a detailed action plan to reduce the number of cases, including further training for all medical and clinical staff.

"The incident of MRSA in our Trust is already low compared to other Trusts in the country but we are striving to make further reductions."