THE Lord Mayor of Birmingham maintained a tradition by visiting the city’s oldest company.

Coun Michael Wilkes toured the premises of Firmin & Sons Ltd in Newtown Row. It has been manufacturing military buttons and insignia since 1677. Sales manager Tony Kelly said: “The visit was part of his support for Birmingham manufacturing. It continued a tradition of the Lord Mayor of Birmingham visiting the Queen’s button and badge maker.”

Firmin designs medals and medallions for all levels of military and civil award and is one of Britain’s oldest suppliers of swords.