Black Country people are being urged to take down their tatty flags ahead of this year’s annual celebrations.

The Black Country Festival is now in its third year and many of the flags hanging from shops, homes and other buildings are starting to look tatty. Flags have also been spotted at Glastonbury and at the football World Cup in Brazil.

This year’s month-long festival kicks off in July with events across the borough and includes Black Country Day on July 14. Festival organisers are urging people to snap up new flags to make sure this year’s festival starts with a new look.

Flags are available from the Black Country T Shirts shop in Dudley, who will donate profits from all sales to the festival. And the first 50 people who hand in their tatty flag will receive one new free 5ftx3ft to replace it. ​James Stevens, chairman of the Black Country Festival organising committee, said:

“We’ve seen these flags flown with pride all over the world, but after three years some of them are starting to look a bit worn. We thought it would be a great idea if people got new flags if they need to and make sure that this year’s festival gets off to a fantastic start.

“Best of all, the profits from the sales of Black Country flags goes back to the festival so people are helping to make sure that this year’s celebrations are bigger and better than ever before.”

Stephen Pitts, from Black Country T Shirts, added:

“We have had a lot of requests from people for Black Country themed flags and T shirts which is great to see. We are very much part of the community and want to make sure we help give the festival a bit of a boost by donating profits to the celebrations. The more people who want to replace their flags the more money goes back to the community.”

Councillor Mohammed Hanif, Mayor of Dudley, said:

“This is a proud community doing what it does best – working together for the benefit of the whole of the borough. I hope people will take down their tatty flags and replace them with bright, clean new ones to get the festival off to a great start.”

Dudley Council is gearing up for the borough’s part in the region wide festival which will see events taking place across all the major towns.

It includes Halesowen Carnival on July 2, Stourbridge Carnival on July 3, the Great Black Country Road Run in Halesowen on July 3 and a beer festival at Brierley Hill Civic Hall on July 29-31. There will also be activities in Dudley Town Centre on July 16.

Flags are available from Black Country T Shirts, Castle Street, Dudley, by calling 01384 639 392 or emailingadmin@blackcountrytshirts.com