FOLK band trio The Empty Can believe the launch of their Black Country anthem can help to put the region firmly on the map.

Their re-working of the patriotic classic 'I vow to thee my country' has already proved an internet hit.

Now the group are hoping locals will back their rendition entitled 'I vow to thee Black Country' still further and take the single into the national charts.

The charity number has already reached the dizzy heights of 11th place on the Amazon downloads chart this week.

Now community leaders are urging Black Country folk to get behind the song and help raise money at the same time.

The Black Country anthem is available on iTunes, Spotify, Amazon, Google, Play and other online retailers from just 79p, with all the money going to Compton Hospice.

Cllr Pete Lowe, deputy leader of Dudley Council, said: "We have so much to be proud of in the Black Country and in Dudley we are absolutely delighted to be backing this fantastic cause."

The Empty Can comprises 36-year-old lead singer and youth worker James Stevens and NHS nurse Rachel Slater, also 36, both from Gornal, along with 40-year-old lead guitarist Steven Henley, of Kingswinford.

The anthem will now act as a pre-runner to the Black Country Festival, which is scheduled to take place in July to mark National Black Country Day on July 14.

Music venues, pubs and charities across Dudley borough are set to be involved in the festival.

In addition, Black Country Living Museum, the Red House Glass Cone, Broadfield House Glass Museum and Dudley Museum and Art Gallery are all planning to stage events celebrating the region's rich heritage.