THE new Mayor of Sandwell is Cradley Heath and Old Hill Councillor Julie Webb.

Cllr Webb was "made mayor" at Sandwell Council on Tuesday night and made an emotional speech about what it meant to be the borough's first citizen.

She said: "I will do everything I can to promote Sandwell as a great place to live and work.

"The people are salt of the earth and I am proud to have lived here all my life."

Mayor Webb announced she had chosen Sandwell Parents of Disabled Children and Sandwell Carers as her official charities.

She said: "Both these charities do wonderfully work in the community and I am proud to have chosen them as my official charities, we hopefully will raise a lot of money for them.

"I also want to thank my best friend Cllr Barbara Price for doing such a wonderful job as mayor before me."

Rowley Cllr Price, lamented the two major incidents of her tenure - the Tunisia terrorist attacks which claimed the lives of council employees and the death of former leader Cllr Darren Cooper.

New Deputy Mayor Oldbury Cllr Susan Downing was also officially appointed and thanked fellow Oldbury Cllr Hussain for seconding her after Cllr Hartwell had nominated her.

She said: "I have known Julie for over 20 years now and am looking forward to working with her throughout the year."