A LONG-serving Labour councillor is to be Sandwell’s new mayor and her deputy will be Rowley Regis stalwart Barbara Price.

Councillor Linda Horton, who has served on the council for 19 years, is to be the borough’s first citizen. She has been a cabinet member since 2001 and was mayoress to her husband, Cllr Roger Horton,when he was mayor in 1995/96.

Cllr Price, who lives in Rowley Regis, has been a councillor for 14 years and is lead member for Rowley. Her husband, Cllr Bob Price, who represents Blackheath and has served the borough for 24 years, will be her consort.

The couple are no strangers to civic office having been the borough’s mayor and mayoress in 2009/10.

Cllr Barbara Price said: “I’m very excited and feel very privileged to be asked to do the job of deputy mayor. I’m looking foward to working alongside Linda and to attending many functions.”

The mayor-making will take place at Sandwell Council's annual meeting on May 21.