ORGANISERS of this year’s Black Country Festival want to ensure it is bigger and better than last year.

A wide range of community events are already planned as part of this year’s entertainment feast as Dudley Council aim to make it a “bostin’ success”.

Leaders from all political parties within the council have come together with the community to schedule a list of events.

After their first meeting last week there are already family fun events planned in Stourbridge, Dudley, Halesowen, Gornal, Pensnett and Wall Heath.

Councillor Pete Lowe, leader of the council, said: “The success of last year’s festival was the highlight of the year for so many local people and we want to make sure we do it even bigger and even better this time around.

“I’m delighted councillors from all the political parties are involved so we can work together in the interests of local people to create a festival to remember.

“We still have six months of planning and we already have events in places across the borough. We will be asking local councillors and people in the community from all corners of the borough to let us know about events they have planned so they can all become part of one big family festival.”

Tens of thousands of people enjoyed the first ever Black Country Festival, marking the official Black Country Day on July 14.

Hundreds of events and activities were held across the borough as people showed off the pride they have in the area, including a three day festival of comedy, culture and music at Red House Glass Cone in Wordsley, an all day event on Stone Street Square in Dudley and a performance by the Fizzogs comedy group at Brierley Hill Civic Hall.

Steve Edwards, chairman of the Black Country Festival community group, said: “The hunger from people in the community to get involved this year is even bigger than last year because people have seen what a fantastic success it was.

“We already have a long list of events which will make up the festival but we would urge people to get in touch if they want to get involved.”

The community and cross-party Black Country working group will meet each month to develop plans for this year’s festival in July.