A PROUD celebration for people in the Black country can go ahead  after Sandwell Council stepped into save the borough’s annual St George’s Day event.

The local authority has announced it will ensure the West Bromwich jamboree to mark the patron saint of England will happen this year.

The council acted after organisers said they were stepping down due to ill-health and work commitments.

The celebration has been held for 23 years and in the past attracted up to 10,000 people in a colourful display of Union Jacks and English flags. 

Sandwell Council’s cabinet member for leisure Councillor Maria Crompton said: “We will step into the breach and make sure we organise a great family day out to celebrate St George’s Day.

“We helped the organising committee last year with some funding to help make sure the 2019 event happened, but we do understand that they have been running this event for many years and that they couldn’t continue to organise it.

“Although there won’t be a march or parade associated with this year’s event, there will be an event in the park for families organised by the council. We want to work with the community to make the event as successful as we can.

“We’re happy to step in and make sure everyone has a great day out to celebrate our patron saint.”

The council plans to hold the event on Saturday, April 25 at Dartmouth Park. Details are to be confirmed nearer the time. 

The local authority spent £1,000 last April to make sure it could continue after organisers said they couldn’t afford the costs.