DUDLEY politicians have handed over £800 to local lifesavers after climbing Britain's highest peak.

The cash was given to FAST Aid Black Country by Dudley North MP Ian Austin, Cllr Adam Aston and deputy mayor Cllr Steve Waltho, following their Ben Nevis trek in honour of borough hero Bert Bissell.

FAST Aid volunteers provide emergency first aid to people following a 999 call and were one of the many charities to benefit from a share of the £4,600 raised by the trio.

Further donations will be made to the British Legion and the Children's Unit at Russells Hall Hospital and the Mayor of Dudley's charities Action Heart and Guide Dogs.

Mr Austin said: "I'm really pleased we've been able to support FAST Aid's brilliant work. Bert Bissell was a great friend of my family and the generosity local people have shown in his memory is a great tribute to the wonderful work he did in the area."

Cllr Aston added: "I'm a paramedic myself and I've seen the wonderful life-saving work FAST Aid do on a daily basis to help people with life threatening conditions in the Black Country.

"They are a great team of volunteers giving their time to help the rest of us and I'm really pleased we've been able to support their work."