A former mayor of Dudley and long-standing councillor who announced she was stepping down has thanked the people of Brockmoor and Pensnett who have supported her over the years.

Brockmoor and Pensnett ward member councillor Rosemary Tomkinson recently announced she would not contest her seat in the local elections, bringing to an end her 13-year spell on the council. She said she was grateful to everyone who had backed her during her reign and when she served as mayor.

“I would like to take this opportunity to express my thanks to all the people of Brockmoor and Pensnett who have given me their support during my years as their councillor,” she said.

“I realise that not everyone voted for me but even when I met residents they were always most supportive.

“I have made many friends and my greatest, Mary Growcott who has passed away, was a great community leader.”

The former teacher, 72, also praised the commitment of the many volunteers she met while serving as mayor.

She said: “During my term of office as mayor I met many people and I was always very impressed by those who care for others.

“The volunteers in the borough are second to none ad we could not do without them. They are the unsung heroes and it was a humbling experience when I met them.”

Councillor Tomkinson said she was now ready for a break but, as member of several committees and governor of Bromley Primary School and the Pensnett School of Technology, it is unlikely her pace of life will be slowing dramatically.

She also attends Pensnett Forum, Brierley Hill Housing Panel, Brockmoor Community Association and Pensnett Community Association meetings.

She was mayor of Dudley in 2003-04 when she raised around £12,000 for charities the Diabetes Association and the Dudley Hope organisation for young people.

As well as dealing with many problems during her years in office, she once called for more jobs to be available for women in her ward after it emerged topless barmaids were pulling in the punters at the Bridge Inn in Bank Street.