PEOPLE who played an instrumental role in creating the first ever Black Country Festival have been honoured at a civic reception.

Thousands of people enjoyed the month-long celebrations across the borough to mark the official Black Country Day on July 14.

The Mayor of Dudley, Councillor Margaret Aston, thanked everyone who helped to make it happen at the reception on Tuesday (November 25).

Among those invited to the Mayor’s Parlour were Gracie Sheppard, the Stourbridge schoolgirl who designed the Black Country flag, and James Stevens the lead singer of The Empty Can, who released a charity single to create a Black Country anthem.

Lead festival organiser Black Country Gaz, Keith Horsfall from Dudley Arts Council, David Harcourt, chairman of Stourbridge’s chamber of trade, Steve Edwards who runs the Facebook page theonlywayisdudley, Dave Brownhill from Promarco Promotions and Stephen Pitts from Black Country TeeT Shirts, were also invited.

They were all presented with a certificate in recognition of the work they did.

Cllr Margaret Aston, Mayor of Dudley, said: “I think we will all look back on the summer of 2014 with great pride as we witnessed the first ever celebration of Black Country Day.

"Dudley Council was instrumental in this along with a number of individuals in our community so I was delighted to welcome them into the parlour to let them know how grateful we are.”