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 to mark the end of the festival which was the biggest yet and included events across the borough including the Black Country Road Race in Halesowen.

On Saturday five-a-side teams went head to head at Mary Stevens Park 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; Halesowen's The Hope Centre, The What Centre, Georgina Unit, More Mascots Please and West Midlands Lupus.

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.

He added: “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