HALESOWEN is abuzz as its first Black Country Fair is set to bring crowds into the town centre for a "bostin'" time on Saturday (July 25).

The event, which replaces Halesowen's established Victorian Fair, has been timed to link in with the second annual Black Country Festival.

Organisers from Halesowen and Rowley Regis Rotary Club are keeping their fingers crossed for decent weather - after last year's Victorian Fair was deluged by rain.

"The forecast is variable - but it couldn't be any worse than last year's washout, although people still had a good time there," said Rotarian Brian Stokes.

"I hope that local people will come into the town centre to enjoy this community event, which has a wide variety of acts - all free - and lots of different kinds of food, as well as a beer tent with local real ale."

The hub for the fair will be in Somers Square, where a Punch and Judy show will kick off activities on the stage at 11am.

The official opening, by Dudley deputy mayor Mohammed Hanif, will be at noon, followed by another Punch and Judy show at 12.30pm.

Black Country Gaz, the singer and songwriter, will be on stage at 2pm and, an hour later, a Simon Cowell look-alike will perform the prize draw.

There will also be entertainment from Marlene, the "Black Country Wench", at a time yet to be fixed.

The event will run alongside the town's fortnightly farmers' market and there will be a total of around 60 charity and commercial stalls, as well as fairground rides.