Property tycoon Roy Richardson announced his own roll of honour at a party to celebrate 20 years of the Black Country’s Merry Hill centre.

The developer behind the region’s “shopping city” paid tribute to supporters who had worked behind the scenes to help get the project off the ground.

Mr Richardson and twin brother Don were responsible for the £1 billion centre which rose from the 300-acre former Round Oak steelworks and green space known as Merry Hill Farm.

But Mr Richardson said the centre would not exist without the foresight, common sense and efforts of the then member of parliament John Blackburn and Dudley council leader Jack Edmonds in securing an enterprise zone to help the project flourish.

And he said it was not widely known that although Wolverhampton had a suitable site ready at the time, it had turned down the offer of a Government-backed enterprise zone.

Dudley’s gamble at seizing the opportunity had paid off and the centre had been a great success, he said.

Mr Richardson also paid tribute to the “dignity and integrity” of Mr Edmonds’ successor Fred Hunt and praised others who had contributed to the success of Merry Hill including Malcolm Dolphin and David Beattie of Lloyds Bank, David Ritchie, who was Government Officer for the West Midlands, and Brian Pellard of major contractors Tarmac.

There was also a special mention for his late brother Don, who Mr Richardson said had put in the most effort and been responsible for signing cheques to finance the scheme, and for self-employed contractor Tony Wills who had worked long hours.

Dozens of guests were invited to a champagne reception and buffet in the mayor’s parlour at Dudley Council.

Mr Richardson presented a cheque and a giant teddy bear to the Mayor of Dudley Councillor Pat Martin for her charities – Dudley Stroke Association, Dudley Mind and The Open Stage Learning Group.