Teams of four to six people are being sought to resurrect the coffin race on Black Country Day with a call out to community groups, scout and guide groups, army squads and sport teams to join in.

The coffin race will take place on Saturday July 14, Black Country Day, from noon as part of Dudley Fun Day.

The coffin race is a humorous re-enactment of an English Civil War event. In 1646 Cavalier and Roundhead armies called a temporary ceasefire to allow the body of Mistress Beaumont to be carried from Dudley Castle to Top Church for burial.

The race is being brought back to life this year to cover part of the original historic route and will take place in Dudley near the fountain. Teams of four to six people can enter for free and will be expected to carry an empty coffin in timed heats. A real coffin will be supplied.

The coffin will be paraded down from the Earl of Dudley statue accompanied by Coseley Comets and coffin team members. From there the parade will make its way to the Fountain where a stage and compere will be waiting with the teams taking part in the race.

The race will be part of the celebrations in the town centre for Black Country Day where there will be a craft market down Stone Street, wrestling ring and vintage cars on display. Teams can register by emailing their team name, team captain and phone number by email by Thursday 12 July. Councillor Alan Taylor, Mayor of Dudley, said:

“The coffin race was originally run each year from the Castle to Top Church to commemorate the historical ceasefire during the last siege of Dudley Castle. Our township heritage team are keen to bring back the event.

"This is the first time since 2006 that this event has taken place and what better way of re-introducing it than on Black Country Day. I hope that people will enter teams and make this a real fun day.”