Sandwell Council leader Lord King of West Bromwich today announced he is stepping down - but he will become the borough's next mayor.

Lord King, who has been council leader since 1997, became the first Sikh to enter the House of Lords in 1999 after representing the West Bromwich Central council ward for 20 years.

Last night the Lord's Labour colleagues, who knew of his retirement plans several months ago, asked him to become Mayor of Sandwell after May's annual meeting of the council.

Sixty-three-year-old Lord King said he had considered stepping down as leader when he entered the Lords.

He said: "I decided to carry on, however, because the council was in the middle of piloting new structures but as these are now in place I believe it is time for someone else to take on the leadership.

"It is an immense honour to represent Sandwell as it's first citizen and I am looking forward to doing the job to the very best of my ability."