YOUNG people across the Black Country are being sought for a once in a lifetime opportunity to take part in a live televised handover for the 2018 Gold Coast Commonwealth Games Closing Ceremony.

Ahead of the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games, 2,022 young people aged 16 to 24 are invited to be part of a mass participation dance taking place in Birmingham on April 15 which will form part of the live celebrations set to be seen by one billion people worldwide.

Oldbury film-maker Daniel Alexander is among artists confirmed to be taking part in the ceremony - part of which will be performed live in the Carrara Stadium, Gold Coast, Australia, and part live from Birmingham.

Daniel, who is producing a short film that will feature in the event, said: “This is an amazing opportunity for one of my films, celebrating my home town of Birmingham, to be viewed by a global audience.

"I want to showcase the people and the places that make our city so distinct and show the world that the only place they want to hang out in 2022 is Birmingham.”

Gary Topp, CEO of development organisation Culture Central which is producing Birmingham's element of the flag handover ceremony, said: “This is a once in a lifetime opportunity for young people aged 16 to 25 to be part of a global celebration of Birmingham and to take the lead in introducing Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games to the world."

Interested young people should live within one hours’ public transport of Birmingham city centre and feel comfortable moving to music - although no previous formal dance training is necessary.

Participants must be available for try-outs on either March 30 or 31, and then rehearsals every day from April 9 to 15 inclusive.

Local travel costs in the rehearsal week will be covered for all participants.

To find out more and sign up go to www.birmingham2022.com/getinvolved