The Mayor of Wolverhampton has died at the age of 59 following a long illness.

Councillor Elias Mattu's death was announced this morning by Wolverhampton council on social media.

The father-of-three, who served as a Labour councillor for the Graiseley ward, had been absent from several events in the city recently due to ill health.

The council said flags would be flying at half mast outside the city's Civic Centre as a mark of respect.