Dudley Council has become the first in the country to hold public meetings on Facebook, with thousands of people viewing the discussions online.

The council has now held three community forums on the social networking site, with the most recent one allowing residents to quiz deputy leader, Cllr Pete Lowe, on issues such as funding for community group and the council’s budget.

Cllr Lowe said: ‘The Facebook community forums have been hugely successful because people can get involved with local democracy without having to leave the house.

‘As a community council this is about giving people every opportunity to speak to us and influence how decisions are made.

‘We’re the first in the country to do this, and shows we are breaking new ground in how we involve and positively engage with people in local government.’