DUDLEY’S new first citizen has been sworn in at a meeting of the full borough council this evening (Thursday).

Cllr Alan Finch was formally elected as Mayor of Dudley for the 2013/14 civic year after serving as deputy mayor last year.

Cllr Finch, aged 60, represents the Castle and Proiry ward, his wife Heather will be mayoress. His chosen mayor’s charities for the year will be The White House cancer support centre and Hearing Dogs for Deaf People.

He said: “It is a huge honour and a privilege to be Mayor of Dudley, a borough I am very proud to call home.

“As an ambassador for this council and the borough I am eager to work closer with the people who make up our communities and support them where I can. I am also looking forward to raising as much money as possible for my two charities and hope people will join me in doing what they can for these worthwhile causes.”

Cllr Margaret Aston was elected as deputy mayor, her son, cllr Adam Aston, was confirmed as her consort.

The ceremony was watched by cllr Ken Finch, the new mayor’s older brother, who served as Mayor of Dudley in 1998/99.

Cllr Ken Finch said: “We are very proud of the honour this borough has bestowed on Alan.”