Live jazz and blues will be heard at Sandwell's libraries throughout 2020 following a successful bid for funding to Arts Council England.

The Live at the Library festival will run for 12 months and builds on the success of libraries holding summer concerts as part of the Birmingham, Sandwell & Westside Jazz Festival over recent years.

Sandwell's libraries and archives teams successfully bid for £14,999 from Arts Council England to hold the year-long festival.

Concerts will be held at Blackheath Library, Central Library West Bromwich and Great Barr Library, showcasing some of the best live jazz and blues artists in the UK.

Concerts will also be held in libraries in all six towns as part of the annual jazz festival in July. Keep an eye on discoversandwell.co.uk for details of events. Councillor Bob Lloyd, Sandwell Council's cabinet member with responsibility for libraries, said:

"Having taken part in the jazz festival for some years now, we have developed the knowledge and expertise in putting on high-quality music events.

"We know from customer surveys that they would like to see live music all year round.

"This project will help us further grow the audience and make live music part of our everyday activities and events in libraries.

"It's a great opportunity for Sandwell people to enjoy fantastic music on their doorstep, not just during the jazz festival in July but all year round."

The project will be supported by library staff and volunteers.