TWO gutsy ex-Mayors of Dudley will be doubling up this weekend to raise money for a little girl battling cancer.

Labour councillors Steve Waltho and Melvyn Mottram will be taking part in a sponsored tandem cycle ride at Halesowen Athletics & Cycling Club this Sunday (April 15).

The dynamic duo will attempt to complete 100 laps at the club, starting from 2pm.

They hope to raise money to give a boost to a charity appeal in aid of two-year-old Sedgley youngster Isla Austin, who is currently receiving costly advanced treatment in the USA for a rare neuroblastoma (a form of cancer).

Isla is the grand-daughter of Gentleman Songsters Male Voice Choir chairman Pete Hawthorne and Cllr Waltho said: “The costs are huge and his family are channelling everything they have at the moment to give Isla the best possible chance of survival.

“They are being supported and guided by a specialist charity Solving Kids Cancer who are the vehicle for Isla's future treatment plans.”

Cllr Waltho, who was the borough’s Mayor in 2015/16, is no stranger to charity challenges – having taken part in charity cycle rides previously, scaled Mount Kilimanjaro, run countless marathons – but he has never ridden a tandem cycle before.

Cllr Mottram, Dudley’s Mayor in 2012/13, on the other hand has ridden one once and has vowed to take a front seat in this Sunday’s challenge.

Anyone wishing to sponsor the pair, who are both members of the Songsters, can send cheques payable to 'Solving Kids Cancer' with 'Isla Austin Appeal' on the back to Cllr Steve Waltho or Melvyn Mottram at Dudley Council House, Priory Road, DY1 1HF.