A NEW Black Country anthem is set to help people hit the right note during the region’s national day celebrations.

Members of folk band The Empty Can have launched their song I Vow to Thee Black Country as the Black Country's official anthem ahead of Black Country Day on Monday July 14.

The tune is a version of the patriotic hymn I Vow to Thee My Country, which dates back to 1921 and was a favourite of former Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher.

Dudley Council deputy leader, Cllr Pete Lowe, who joined the band for the official launch, said: “The community response to the Black Country Day activities has been huge and the idea of a Black Country anthem is something we fully support. We will certainly be supporting I Vow to Thee Black Country to help it hit the charts and help put the whole region on the map.”

The Empty Can originally posted the song on You Tube last year where the video attracted 250,000 views.

The band is re-launching the song to raise cash in memory of Black Country man Steve Evans, a magician and comedian who died in January aged 52 following a two-year battle with stomach cancer.

James Stevens, singer with The Empty Can, said: “We now want to re-launch it as a single to mark Black Country Day with all proceeds going to Compton Hospice. If people in the area get behind it we genuinely believe we could get the Black Country in the charts.”

Steve Edwards, from the website The Only Way is Dudley, added: “People want an anthem to go with the flag and the national day and this song is perfect.”

I Vow to Thee Black Country is set for release on Thursday May 27 and will be available for pre-order earlier in the month from all major online retailers.