SANDWELL's former Mayor has proudly presented an armed forces charity with cheques totalling almost £14,000.

Blackheath councillor Bob Price, who was Sandwell's Mayor for 2008/09, raised the cash during his year in office for the Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Families Association (SSAFA).

At the Big House in Oldbury he presented cheques to the two SSAFA branches covering Sandwell - SSAFA Dudley and SSAFA Walsall.

Col Dave Hill and Maj Ken Fisher accepted the cheques, each for £6,967.

SSAFA helps and supports serving or retired members of the armed forces and their families.

Cllr Price said: "I would like to thank everyone in Sandwell who supported SSAFA during my year in office.

"This money will make a real difference and will be used wisely."

Last week, cllr Price and his wife Barbara joined veterans to travel to Arnhem in the Netherlands to lay a wreath to mark the 65th anniversary of the start of battle of Arnhem.