STOURBRIDGE and Dudley Town Halls will join more than a hundred buildings and landmarks across England and Wales by lighting up purple to celebrate the upcoming census and its importance to communities.

The event is being organised by The Office for National Statistics (ONS) to raise awareness of census day on Sunday March 21.

Other iconic landmarks including the Wales Millennium Centre in Cardiff, BT Tower in London and Blackpool Tower are signed up for the celebration, which will see them light up in the Census 2021 brand colour from Friday March 19 through to March 21.

The census is a survey that happens every 10 years and gives a picture of all people and households across England and Wales.

It helps to inform provision of UK public services such as determining the appropriate number of school places and hospital beds needed to properly serve communities.

Pete Benton, ONS director of census operations, said: “The census is such an important undertaking that helps inform the vital services we all rely on every single day within our communities.

“We wanted to shine a (purple) light on the buildings and landmarks that matter most to their local areas, highlighting the importance of the census in helping shape the communities we live in.

“We’re thrilled with all the support we have received so far and would like to thank Stourbridge and Dudley Town Halls for their participation. Now is the time for everyone to complete their census and be part of history."

Stourbridge and Dudley Town Halls will be bathed in purple light from 20.21pm on Friday March 19 through to Sunday March 21.

Census letters with unique access codes enabling people to fill in their census online have been sent out to every household in England and Wales.

People do not need to wait until Census day (March 21) to complete the form if confident there will be no change in who usually lives at the address.

Papers forms are available for those who need one, plus a range of support.​ To request a paper form, or for help and advice, visit census.gov.uk​ or call the census support centre (freephone ​0800 141 2021 in England).