WEST Midlands Mayor Andy Street and local hero ‘Blind Dave’ Heeley are amongst more than a thousand runners set to descend on Halesowen this weekend to take part in the Black Country Road Run.

Now in its eighth year the popular event, organised by the Rotary Club of Halesowen and Rowley Regis, will be on Sunday (June 30).

And it will be a whole weekend of fun as on Saturday (June 29) there will be a host of entertainment in the town centre from 10am till 4pm, including poets, music and comedy as part of the Black Country Festival - with the day being billed as a tribute to Halesowen's legendary funnyman Tommy Mundon.

On Sunday the 10k race, for more serious runners, starts in Birmingham Road at 9.45am, with the 5k family run starting at 11.30am.

Rotarian Alan Bowler, who is event organiser, said around 250 scouts are taking part from clubs across Halesowen, as well as 11 corporate teams.

Mr Bowler said: "It's going to be a great day - hopefully the weather will be kind to us - we have around 1,000 runners this year.

"It's great because people get to enjoy themselves - it's a good family day - while at the same time raising money for charity.

"Lots of runners raise money for charities which are close to their hearts - over the last seven years hundreds of thousands of pounds have gone to charities."

Visit https://www.theblackcountryrun.com/home for details.

Road closures will be in place around Halesowen town centre.

The following roads will be closed from 6am to 1pm: Pool Road, Great Cornbow, Rumbow, Birmingham Street, Birmingham Road, Hagley Road (between Queensway roundabout and Hagley Street) to facilitate the 5k family run.

For the 10k race the following roads will be closed from 9am to 11am: Dogkennel Lane, Summer Hill (between Hagley Road and Queensway and between Dogkennel Lane and Powell Street), Waxland Road and Broadway Avenue.

On Saturday the day kicks off with a broadcast by Black Country radio at 10am.

The Fizzogs, Halas Homes choir, and comedienne Marlene will be amongst a host of acts performing in Somers Square.

There will be face painting, mascots, balloon modelling and family fun until 4pm.

BID manager Vicky Rogers said: "It's going to be great fun for all the family - there will be something for everyone."