A TRIBUTE to Sedgley artist Ron Baker will take place as part of Dudley Archives' Local History Day.

Ron was born on November 10, 1918 - the day before Armistice Day.

From leaving the Army after service in East Africa in 1946, Ron's hobby was sketching the buildings of Gornal and Sedgley.

Martin Jones, from the Sedgley Archives Project, travelled to Whitchurch in Shropshire this week - where Ron now lives with his son Tony, to present him with an early 100th birthday card and balloon.

Mr Jones said: "His prolific talent has produced two wonderful collections of photos. I thanked him for his outstanding contribution to the cultural life of the village.

"Many of the buildings he drew have now disappeared and in some cases Ron's record is the only remaining image of the buildings as they were."

The tribute is due to take place at 1pm in the Education Room at the Tipton Road centre on Saturday (October 6).

Mr Jones will be looking at some of the best-known locations Ron drew, alongside his own photos of the same locations today, in a slide show and talk.

Ron is unable to travel to the celebration but asked Mr Jones to pass on his best wishes to all who knew him when he lived in the village.