Bastille? Big day is Black Country's

Mr Cameron praised the plan to look at the culture, history and identity of the Black Country while on a visit to the region this week, promoting a multi-million pound investment plan by the Government.

Black Country Day will take place on Monday but events are being held from Friday onwards.

Monday also marks official anniversary of the invention of the Newcomen Engine - one of the Black Country's best known engineering feats. It will be 77 years to the day that Thomas Newcomen created the first practical device to harness the power of steam to produce mechanical work.

It is also a French holiday celebrating the storming of The Bastille, the prison revolt that sparked the French Revolution.

But speaking to the Express & Star the Prime Minister said it was 'an excellent idea' to celebrate everything the region has achieved.

"The Black Country's industrial heritage is absolutely vital to this country's history and success story," Mr Cameron said.

"Black Country Day is an excellent idea.

"Who needs Bastille Day when you've got Black Country Day?"

In the run up to the big day the Black Country flag has been spotted flying all over the world with people flying it at Glastonbury and even during England games in South America.

And Dudley-born funny man Lenny Henry has also given his personal backing to this weekend's events.

The 55-year-old has made several public visits to Dudley since he was made Freeman of the Borough last year.

In April he was pictured holding a Black Country flag after he opened the town's new £6 million archives centre.

The son of Jamaican parents, he was born at Dudley's former Burton Hospital and lived in Himley Road. He has since described his childhood in town as 'very full and wonderful'.

He said the town had 'fuelled everything' he had achieved.

He said at the time: "The fact they are doing the market is wonderful. The zoo has had a makeover and this is tied in with the Black Country Living Museum – these are all things which make my heart glow.

"I'm fully behind an idea like the Black Country Festival, we should be celebrating this area and its history."

He added: "If you don't know where you are from, you don't know where you are going."

Sports stars from the area have also been getting in the spirit.

Wolves star and Brierley Hill-born footballer Danny Batth also gave his support to the event, happily posing up for pictures with fans at Stourbridge Carnival at the weekend.

The event, which had been incorporated into the Black Country Festival, saw thousands pour into town to enjoy live music and entertainment.

And Danny was spotted grinning as he proudly held up the red, black and white Black Country Day flag with the Mayor of Dudley, Councillor Margaret Aston, outside the town clock.

Black Country Day has already won praise from some of the area's best loved figures for putting the pride back into the area.

Entertainer 'Duchess of Dudley' Lizzie Wiggins says Black Country Day is a 'grand idea' which would put it on par with other area.

"Derbyshire and Stratford-upon-Avon have special days – so why shouldn't the Black Country?" said comedienne Lizzie, whose real name is Marie Williams.

Lizzie, who is Dudley born but now lives in Acocks Green, Birmingham, added: "People tend to think of the Black Country as a bit of a joke – but that's unfair.

"We've got a lot of history and it's a good idea for us to promote the area so that people know more about it and to make us proud of it."

Jacky Fellows – one third of the popular Black Country comic trio and theatre group Fizzog Productions – believes the event will prove a popular addition to the calendar.

The group is preparing to perform at the Red House Glass Cone, in Wordsley, during a Black Country evening of entertainment on Friday night.

Jacky said the day was a brilliant idea, adding: "We've always had a long-standing love affair with the fantastic dialect and are proud of our heritage.

"Everywhere else in the country gets celebrated – and we celebrate our industry but the Black Country is about so much more than that.

"People here are salt of the earth – you don't have to know someone to start a conversation."

The group are also performing a show at Brierley Hill Civic Hall on Saturday called Another One Night Stand in honour of the day. Tickets cost £12.

Even top Black Country comedian Aynuk, whose real name is Alan Smith, who has been a popular stand up in the area for more than 50 years, has got behind the day.

He said he thinks the day is a 'bostin' idea' and added "Black Country Day should create unity and togetherness".