Blue plaque honours Birmingham's first black councillor

Bert Carless was born in Jamaica, but came to the UK in 1956 and first stood for Labour in 1972

A plaque has been unveiled to celebrate the career and life of Birmingham's first black councillor.

Alderman Egbert Carless OBE was elected to Birmingham City Council in 1979, representing the ward of Aston.

Better known as Bert, the former Labour councillor also served as the chair of governors at Handsworth College for nearly two decades.

His achievements have now been marked with a blue plaque at the establishment now known as the South & City College.

Born in Clarendon, Jamaica in 1933, the former diesel mechanic left his home and family behind at the age of 21, and arrived at Southampton in the UK in 1956 as part of the Windrush generation.

His political career began in 1972 when he stood as a Labour candidate in Yardley.

During his campaign, Mr Carless endured direct racism until his successful election in May 1979 to become the city's first black elected councillor, representing Aston.

The career and life of Bert Carless has been marked with a blue plaque at South & City College where he was the chair of governors

He recalled being sent a banana skin and notes containing derogatory language, the organisations behind the blue plaque have said.

The retired British Telecom engineer was later appointed an OBE for his key role in rebuilding Handsworth College as chairman of governors after the Handsworth Riots in 1985.

He set up the college community council assessing the educational needs of children in the area and helped to raise the profile of the college.

The community champion, who lived in Handsworth with his wife and five children, died in 2003, shortly after being diagnosed with cancer.

The blue plaque marking his career was organised by the Birmingham Empowerment Forum, South & City College Birmingham, the Windrush National Organisation and the Nubian Jak Community Trust.

His granddaughter was among the guests at the unveiling ceremony at South & City College

Mike Hopkins MBE, principal and chief executive of South & City College said: "His unwavering dedication to education, his pioneering spirit in local politics, and his remarkable resilience against adversity continue to inspire us."

Bishop Dr Desmond Jaddoo added: "Bert's service is a testament to a man of grace and integrity, who saw his duty to be of service to all, irrespective of their political persuasion.

"A street in Perry Barr has been named after Bert and now this blue plaque at SCCB Handsworth where he also served 20 years - after his death the legacy is alive and well."