THE first woman president in the history of Dudley Chamber of Commerce has stepped down after two years as head of the borough's business community.

Sylvia Wellings was presented with gifts and a bouquet at a Chamber lunch at the Copthorne Hotel, Brierley Hill, by the group's honourary vice-president Charles Hanmer.

She said: "It has been a great honour to serve as the first woman president in the Chamber's 124-year history, but after two years it's time for someone else to take up the challenge.

"The chamber is a fantastic organisation for business people of all ages and backgrounds to meet fellow professionals and to gain access to key decision makers."

Sylvia, a former professional musician, is a director of Dudley Mind Trading and runs Ledgertech, an accounting services firm.