St George's Day celebrations planned

The flags will be flying in honour of England's patron saint at events being planned around the Black Country and Staffordshire.

Preparations are already under way for parades and celebrations, which are expected to attract bumper crowds. In Wolverhampton people can head to Market Square on April 21 where there will be brass band music helping to bring a bit of patriotism to the city's streets.

The St George's Day celebrations will continue in Church Street, Bilston on April 23 from 11am until 2pm.

Meanwhile Dudley Council bosses have announced Stourbridge will host this year's borough event on April 21.

The council rot-ates the St George's event around every year and the event will include a civic procession through the town, music and dancing. There will also be activities at Stourbridge Library, street entertainment and a tea dance in the town hall.

The town is getting ready for a £50million redevelopment which will see a new Tesco supermarket built on the site of the Crown Centre. Council leader Les Jones said: "It would have been easy to think we should not hold the event in Stourbridge as major construction work on the multi-million pound improvements is now set to start.

However, we know the event will bring in thousands of people to celebrate the day."

Mayor of Dudley Councillor Michael Evans said: "This promises to be another fantastic St George's Day celebration."

The annual St George's Day parade in Sandwell, which normally attracts thousands of spectators, will take place in West Bromwich on April 22. Families can also mark St George's Day at the Ancient High House in Stafford from 11am until 4pm on April 21.