A UKULELE band is tuning up to spearhead celebrations in Halesowen town centre as part of the region’s inaugural Black Country Festival.

Alan Love, of the Black Country Ukulele Band, is hoping to attract other bands and singers to perform alongside in Somers Square.

He hopes the event, on Saturday July 12 – two days ahead of Black Country Day – will kick-start the week-long festival in the town.

Mr Love, whose band was formerly known as the BCups, also wants to attract poets and drama groups to perform and static displays from organisations including local history groups.

He said: “We want to celebrate the huge range of activities that go on in Halesowen and do something to attract people into the town.”

Halesowen Town FC plans to host a real ale and folk festival over the weekend and the Black Country celebrations will culminate with the Rotary-run Victorian Day the following Saturday (July 19).

Anyone interested in taking part or finding out more about the July 12 event should contact Mr Love on 07552173351.