The leader of Walsall Council is to step down to become mayor, he has announced.

Councillor John O’Hare, aged 64, says it time for a younger candidate to oversee the “enormous changes” set to happen across the borough.

He announced his plan at last night’s full council meeting when he nominated himself to take over from Councillor Tom Ansell in May. A final vote will take place at a full council meeting on May 18.

Late deputy mayor Councillor Cath Micklewright, who died at the end of last year, would have been next in line.

It was also announced at last night’s full council meeting that Streetly Conservative Councillor Gary Clarke, Conservative candidate for Pelsall, would become deputy mayor for 2009/2010.