A £5 fine is being introduced for councillors whose mobile phones ring during meetings, the new chairman of Wyre Forest District Council has announced.

Mike Salter said he was imposing the fine to prevent interruptions to council business. But the former carpet salesman, aged 72, said his levy, which will benefit his chosen charity, had been well received by fellow councillors.

He said: “My new rule certainly raised a few smiles and everyone was in agreement.

“We all carry mobile phones and they do have a tendency to go off at the wrong moment.

“I don’t think people do it deliberately but it is annoying and a distraction.”

When asked if he had been guilty of having his mobile go off in a meeting, Councillor Salter said this had not happened as he leaves his in the car.

There are five full council meetings a year which he will be presiding over and councillor Salter said he hopes the chairman of the various committees such as planning and licensing will also enforce the rule.

All money collected from the fines will be donated to the Millbrook Suite at Kidderminster Hospital, which cares for cancer patients.

“I don’t expect to make too much money from it and I don’t plan to increase the charge,” added councillor Salter.