'Make it the Green Country'

David Bellamy says he is jealous of anyone who lives in the Black Country.

"It is going to be the first place in the whole world where people can say they live in a park," says Bellamy, aged 74.

Bellamy, who has been an environmental campaigner for 35 years, is backing plans to bring £50m of lottery cash to the Black Country to improve green spaces, open up huge caves under Dudley and improve Wolverhampton's canals.

He was among a host of well-known faces who came together last night to call on Black Country people to back the bid, which they say will signal a "new revolution" in the area. Some of the most important political and business leaders in the region flocked to the event at Walsall FC's Bescot Stadium.

Organised to mark the first day of internet voting for the People's Millions Lottery Fund award, those present on the night urged businesses, schools and workplaces to lend the bid some people power.

Video journalist Wendy Lloyd went along.