What is Black Country Day and where are events taking place?

Events are being held this weekend to celebrate The Black Country.

'Black Country Day', which was yesterday, aims to acknowledge the rich cultural heritage and history of Dudley, Sandwell, Wolverhampton and Walsall.

July 14th was chosen as the date for Black Country Day due to its historical importance, as it was on this day in 1712 that the first steam engine was invented.

The feat of engineering was built in the Black Country, an area that played a huge part in the industrial revolution.

Although Black Country Day is celebrated annually on the 14th of July, to allow as many people as possible to join in with the festivities the decision was made to also extend celebrations across the weekend.

Singer and actress Beverley Knight is one of those joining in the celebrations

Speaking to ITV News Central she said: "Living in London as I have for years, there are a lot of people but everybody is quite individualistic, very separate.

"Here it feels like everybody is together, it's one community. I miss that about being in London so when I come home I'm like 'ahh we are the heartbeat of the country'."

The Black Country Festival events will offer a number of diverse and inclusive community events across the four boroughs.

People are however being urged to double-check if events are going ahead before turning up after some were called off because of weather warnings.

Organisers say events will still take place in Bilston and Halesowen today (15 July) but the Musicom festival that was due to take place at Himley Hall & Park in Dudley has been postponed until tomorrow.

This year's lineup of events includes a Folk Festival, a Fun Day, a youth festival, a multicultural day in Halesowen, the Musicom Festival and a Transport Festival.

Britain's Got Talent star, Amy Lou, tells ITV News Central she is 'proud' to be from the Black Country

She said: "I always find, you know, when one person is down everybody mucks in. Or if one person is up then everybody just celebrates. It's just such a phenomenal community to be part of."

"I'm just so proud to be from the Black Country", she adds.