OFFICIAL celebrations to mark the Black Country Festival are under way ahead of a day dedicated to the region.

Black Country Day is on Tuesday July 14 and a month-long series of events was launched earlier today with the start of a bid to break a world record.

Folk-rockers The Empty Can, who penned the Black Country anthem I Vow To Thee My Black Country, plan to make music in Dudley town centre for 30 hours to break the record for the world's longest continuous busk.

Their bid began this morning (Tuesday) and they plan to play until 3pm tomorrow to take their place in the famous Guiness Book of Records.