Thousands across region expected to celebrate King 's coronation

Thousands of people are expected to attend a series of showpiece events to watch and celebrate the coronation of Kings Charles III next month.

The West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) is providing funding for several giant screenings and other events in towns and cities across the region so people can come together to watch the historic occasion on Saturday, 6 May.

And the people of the West Midlands will be represented at the coronation in London 's Westminster Abbey by Andy Street, mayor of the West Midlands and chair of the WMCA, who has received and accepted an invitation to attend.

Screens showing the Coronation of Their Majesties The King and The Queen Consort will be set up in:

• Centenary Square, Birmingham
• Broadgate, Coventry
• Himley Hall, Dudley
• Sandwell Valley Showground, West Bromwich
• The Core, Solihull town centre

Claire Dhami, the WMCA 's head of systems change and inclusion, said: “The coronation will be an historic moment and a wonderful showpiece of British pageantry and tradition.

“So, it 's great to see these big public events taking place. They will bring thousands of people together and help make the coronation an even more memorable occasion.

“I 'm also really proud there are so many community members from the West Midlands attending the Royal Garden Parties to commemorate the coronation in line with this year 's themes of celebrating young adults, community, diversity and sustainability. ”

More details about what is being staged across the West Midlands and how people can join the celebrations are available at the WMCA website.

The free event in Birmingham 's Centenary Square will take place on Saturday 6 May and Sunday 7 May and feature a large screen and stage featuring a diverse range of music and dance throughout both days.

There will also be a range of food and drink outlets and small children 's rides. The King 's Coronation will be shown on the large screen and it will also show the concert from Windsor Castle on the Sunday.

Solihull Council plans to show the proceedings on two screens at The Core venue in the town centre. The Core will also host a free Coronation Afternoon Tea and there will be pop up activity in the town centre over the coronation weekend.

Hundreds more local, community events including 'Big Lunches ' and street parties will also take place across the region.

Elsewhere, the Coronation Concert at Windsor Castle on the Sunday, which will be broadcast live on BBC One and iPlayer, is expected to attract an audience of thousands. Iconic locations across the UK will also be lit up using projections, lasers, drone displays and illuminations.

The Bank Holiday Monday (8 May) will see the Big Help Out take place across the UK. The event will involve thousands of people volunteering to support the causes that matter most to them and pay tribute to the King 's lifetime of service with organisations including the Scouts, Royal Voluntary Service, National Trust and RNLI