Ben Nevis climbers fly flag for Black Country

The iconic black, white and red flag was taken to the top of Ben Nevis by the party, who scaled the mountain in memory of a legendary peace campaigner.

Dudley North MP Ian Austin and mayor Dave Tyler tackled heavy rainfall and freezing temperatures with the group of more than 20 members to celebrate the life of Bert Bissell.

When they reached Britain's highest point, the group unfurled a Black Country flag.

It comes just weeks after a row erupted when one of the region's MPs said the flag had racist connotations.

Mr Austin said: “The conditions were horrendous.

"It was chucking it down and we were soaked and freezing at the summit, but imagine what it must have been like when Bert was climbing without any paths at all and without modern boots and waterproofs."

Last month, new Wolverhampton South West MP Eleanor Smith called for the flag to be scrapped over it's 'offensive' use of chainmaking imagery.

The MP, who is from Birmingham, previously refused an invitation from Mr Austin to have her picture taken with the flag over what she described as its ‘racist connotations’.

Councillor Tyler said: "I was very pleased about how well the group worked together to reach the summit whilst at the same time raising much needed funds for my three charities."

Other climbers included Rachael Taylor who runs the YMCA’s Open Doors project, Councillor Keiran Casey, Astley Blake who now runs the Bible Class Bert Bissell established, Mayoral Ambassador Shaz Saleem, Black Country Radio’s Ian Marrey and Pastor Barry Hutchinson from Cornerstone Church in Pensnett.

More than £2,000 has been raised for the mayor's charities which include Dudley Mind, YMCA’S Open Doors project and Dudley Alzheimer’s Society.

Mr Bissell, known also for his work as a peace campaigner, first climbed on VJ Day in 1945 and more than 100 times afterwards.

He died in November 1998 aged 96 and a monument to him can be found at Coronation Gardens opposite the Council House in Dudley town centre.

Dudley councillor Steve Waltho said: “The whole trip was about Bert Bissell and the great work he did, keeping the link between Fort William and Dudley and making new friends.”

Further donations can be made at www.mydonate.bt.com/fundraisers/bertbissell