REDDITCH councillor Jenny Wheeler has been elected as the town's new mayor saying it is an "honour and a privilege".

At a meeting held on Monday outgoing mayor, councillor Joe Baker, thanked the Redditch community as he split the £5,100 raised during his year in office equally between his chosen charities the Charlotte and Craig Saving Hearts Foundation, Redditch Mental Health Action Group (MHAG), and the Samaritans.

Cllr Wheeler named youth homelessness charity St Basils and mental health and wellbeing charity YoungMinds as the charities for her year in office.

Her consort will be her husband and former mayor Steve Wheeler and she will be assisted by Redditch and Bromsgrove Sea Cadets.

She said: “It’s an honour and a privilege to become mayor.

"During my year in office I intend to shine the spotlight on a serious issue that we know affects so many people here in Redditch, that of mental health and wellbeing, and particularly for young people.”

Councillor Nina Wood-Ford was elected as deputy mayor.

The meeting also brought one change to the executive committee, with councillor Baker replacing councillor Yvonne Smith as portfolio holder for community safety and regulatory services.