THOUSANDS of people are expected to attend the Stourbridge Carnival next weekend, which will kick off the Black Country Festival celebrations.

This year's carnival theme is nations of the world, inspired by the World Cup, and attractions including fair rides, stalls and a retro fair, will be dotted across the town centre on Sunday July 6.

The Black Country Festival will see live music, street entertainers, themed arts and craft stalls and a Black Country beer festival run throughout the Coventry Street and Duke Street area of the town from 10.30am to 6pm.

Carnival organiser, David Harcourt, said: "Carnival 2014 has taken up the opportunity to be the first town in the borough of Dudley and the wider Black Country community to kick off the Black Country Festival.

"Networking with our neighbours will build partnerships, encourage support for one another, whilst building the spirit of community.”

Councillor Pete Lowe, deputy leader of the council, added: “To link this year’s Black Country Festival with the ever-popular Stourbridge Carnival makes complete sense and I’m sure people of all ages will enjoy a great day out.

"We’ve got Black Country themed fun in and around Coventry Street to add to the usual family entertainment throughout the town at the carnival.”

For information of other Black Country Festival events running throughout the borough in July, visit www.blackcountryfestival.com.