People are being urged to “fly the flag for Dudley borough” by volunteering in the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games.

Organisers Birmingham 2022 are looking for thousands of volunteers across the region. It includes roles at the games from July to August next year as well as helping to plan and prepare for the tournament.

Not only will people get the chance to be part of the region’s history on one of the biggest sporting stages, there are lots of other benefits including free transport between venues, reward and recognition programmes, meal vouchers and much more.

Dudley Council bosses are urging people to get involved and help the borough play its part in the global event, with two sessions being put on for people to go along and find out more. Councillor Patrick Harley, leader of Dudley Council, said:

"This is one of the biggest events in the sporting calendar and we are staging it here in the region. It is essential Dudley borough plays its part as a legacy to these games.

"There are thousands of volunteering roles available which is a real opportunity for people to fly the flag for Dudley borough. They will be able to say they played a part, no matter how small, in putting on a global event in the heart of the country.

"We are putting on two free, open sessions in the coming weeks and I would encourage anyone who is interested to sign up, go along and find out more."

Organisers say more than 13,000 volunteers, referred to as the Commonwealth Collective, are needed to put the games on. Applications are open now with interviews taking place in September this year. Roles will be offered in January next year which will be followed by training.

Two sessions are being held in the borough by the council’s adult learning team to help people find out more about the kind of opportunities on offer.

They take place on Tuesday June 22, from 6pm to 8pm, at Dudley Wood Neighbourhood Learning Centre in Saltwells Road, Dudley Wood; and on Friday July 2 from 1pm to 3pm at Brierley Hill Neighbourhood Learning Centre in Hill Street, Brierley Hill.

Anyone interested in attending needs to book their place in advance by contacting Dudley Adult and Community Learning Service. People can email acl@dudley.gov.uk or call (01384) 818143. For more information visit birmingham2022.com.