PLAQUES honouring two distinguished politicians who served the people of Blackheath were officially unveiled along the town's by-pass.

Halesowen and Rowley Regis MP and House of Commons Deputy Speaker Sylvia Heal and Warley MP John Spellar oversaw the ceremony last Friday (June 19).

Rowley Regis town lead member Councillor Barbara Price and Blackheath ward councillors Bob Price and Mary Docker also attended.

The plaques - to honour Lord Peter Archer of Sandwell and Arthur Henderson, Baron Rowley - joined an existing plaque to another former local MP, John Horner.

The Blackheath by-pass comprises three sections - Horner Way, Henderson Way and the recently added Archer Way.

Sandwell Council leader Councillor Bill Thomas said: "We are thrilled to be honouring these former MPs who served the local area so well for many years.

"Our part of the Black Country has a proud history of MPs who have achieved key positions on a national stage, and Peter Archer, Arthur Henderson and John Horner are no exceptions."

Councillor Barbara Price, town lead member for Rowley Regis, said: "These plaques, together the names of the roads that make up the by-pass, will help make sure these important figures from our history will live on for future generations of people who live, work and visit the area."

Peter Kingsley Archer, Lord Archer of Sandwell, was MP for Rowley Regis and Tipton from 1966-1974 and then the Warley West constituency from 1974-1992. An eminent QC, he held the post of Solicitor General from 1974-1979. He is President of the One World Trust, of the World Disarmament Campaign and of the Fabian Society. He is an honorary freeman of Sandwell and retains close links with the borough.

Arthur Henderson, Baron Rowley, represented Kingswinford from 1935-1950 and Rowley Regis and Tipton from 1950-1966. In Churchill's wartime coalition, he served as Under-Secretary of State for War from 1942-1943 and Financial Secretary to the War Office from 1943-1945. In Atlee's post-war government, he held the posts of Under-Secretary of State for India and Burma and Secretary of State for Air, with responsibility for the Royal Air Force. He was born in 1893 and died in 1968.

John Horner represented Oldbury & Halesowen from 1964-1970 and was General Secretary of the Fire Brigades Union from 1939-1964. Born in 1911 he died in 1997.