Almost 1,000 residents have attended the first three of a series of 'Be Proud of Your Town' events across Sandwell's six towns - with three more still to come. 

 The events, which are also going out live on the internet, have proved a success so far with celebrations already held in Rowley Regis, Wednesbury and Smethwick.

Sandwell Partnership director Gary Bowman said: "The idea is to celebrate what's good and distinctive about each of the towns that make up Sandwell.

"They also encourage residents to take the opportunity to tell us what the priorities are to make their local area better, safer and cleaner. After all, it's our residents who are the real experts."

In Rowley Regis, Wednesbury and Smethwick, residents saw a lively mixture of performances from local schools, modern and traditional dance acts, a specially commissioned poem for each of the six towns by local writer and artist Brendan Hawthorne and exhibitions stands including a 'wall of pride' unique to each town.

Each event also includes a Safer Sandwell Partnership 'Face the People' session, when residents can quiz service providers, such as the police and council, on local safety and environmental issues.

There are still three 'Be Proud of Your Town' events to run:

Tipton: Tipton Sports Academy Social Club, Wednesbury Oak Road, from 2-8pm, on Thursday 1 July

Oldbury: Sandwell Council House, Freeth Street, Oldbury, from 3-8pm, on Friday 9 July

West Bromwich: The Public, New Street, West Bromwich, from 10am-3pm, on Saturday 10 July

For full details and to listen to the 'Be Proud of Your Town' events live on the web, visit http://www.beproudofsandwell.co.uk/

At this website, you can also hear audio streams from each of the previous events, including the Safer Sandwell Partnership 'Face the People' sessions.

Sandwell Council's town lead member for Smethwick Councillor Roger Horton said: "At the Smethwick Be Proud event on Thursday (24 June), it was fantastic to see residents enjoying themselves and celebrating their town. At the same time, they were talking to local service providers, having their say on local issues and finding out lots of useful inofrmation.

"It was a typical Smethwick multi-cultural event with children and adults performing and everyone coming together to enjoy themselves. The weather was kind and it was a great way for people to meet partners and agencies and ask any questions."