A HELICOPTER, a fairground and face painting are all part of the programme of fun events for all of the family taking place in Dudley town centre this Easter holiday.

Children and adults can get a free peak inside a decommissioned Midlands Air Ambulance helicopter, which will be in Dudley Market Place on Easter Monday (March 28), as well as Tuesday (March 29), Saturday (April 2) and Sunday (April 3).

Midlands Air Ambulance, which is supporting the DY Eye, will also have Maac – the charity’s mascot – on hand for photos.

Meanwhile, for those who enjoy the fun of the fair, two fairground rides will be in Dudley Market Place every day in the Easter holiday.

A high adrenaline Airflyer, which will zoom people around and up high into the air, and a more gentle children’s Chair-O-Plane will be swinging people around the town centre from today (Good Friday, March 25) until Saturday, April 10.

For those who prefer to keep their feet on the ground for more artistic pursuits, free face painting will also be on offer in Stone Street Square or Dudley market, between 10am and 4pm today, Easter Saturday (March 26 )and Easter Monday.

Councillor Khurshid Ahmed, cabinet member for planning and economic development, said: “Together with the Dudley Business Group and the wider business community, we have organised fun activities to take place in Dudley town centre while the Free Radio DY Eye is here.

“We have diverse activities on offer for all age groups. We’ve even got a wedding dress fashion show taking place on April 9. I hope that people enjoy their Easter fun.

“These are great opportunities for all to come and enjoy a great time in Dudley town centre, which complement our other historic sites and attractions, like the Dudley Zoological Gardens, the Black Country Living Museum and our canals to name just a few.”

The 35m high DY Eye, set up in Stone Street Square, will remain in Dudley until April 10. It will be open between 10am and 7pm, Monday to Thursday and on Sundays, while on Friday and Saturday it will be open until 8pm. The wheel will be closed on Easter Sunday (March 27).

Donation points for the Midlands Air Ambulance Charity, which operates three emergency air ambulances, are situated at the entrance to the DY Eye.

Free parking will be available in the Flood Street car parks on Sundays April 3 and April 10.

For details of all of the events taking place in Dudley, including an Easter egg trail, activities at the library and The Great Dudley Bake-Off, go to www.dudley.gov.uk/DYevents