Phil Dutton has stepped down from the Worcestershire Ambassadors board after 20 years.

He spent three years as chairman and was "instrumental" in organising many of the group's successful events.

Mr Dutton also helped raise hundreds of thousands of pounds for community charities, including £50,000 for Worcestershire Breast Unit Haven, £15,000 for Worcestershire Prostate Awareness Group, and £100,000 for St Richard's Hospice.

In 2022, he proposed raising £100,000 for food banks across the county, a goal achieved in just 10 weeks.

The board of directors said: "Phil has been an integral part of Worcestershire Ambassadors for 20 years and the contributions he has made to Worcestershire through fundraising, promoting the county, and - importantly - having fun whilst doing it, cannot be overstated.

"We would like to thank Phil for his dedication and hard work which has helped Worcestershire Ambassadors achieve so much."

Mr Dutton also organised and led the first trade mission to China in 2012, visiting Guangzhou, Hezhou, and Nanning, working with Worcestershire County Council to build international links.

Jim McBride BEM, the current chairman, said: "Phil's input, guidance, and leadership has been critical in shaping the Worcestershire Ambassadors and we hope to do him proud as we continue that legacy into the future.

"Thank you for all you have done for the Ambassadors and for Worcestershire."

Worcestershire Ambassadors is a membership organisation that promotes the county as a place to live, work, invest, visit, and do business.

Next year, the group will celebrate its silver jubilee, having raised money for charities and good causes for 25 years.