KINVER Country Fayre is marking an Olympic year in sporty style with a celebrity sportsman to open the event.

Former West Bromwich Albion legend Bob Taylor will be on hand to kick-off a day of family fun in the village on Saturday May 10.

Super' Bob will officially open the fayre at 2pm at the Clock Shelter on the High Street for a day packed with attractions with a sports theme.

The annual fayre, which attracts thousands of visitors to the village, will begin with a parade featuring a samba band and young footballers aged six to 11 from the Kinver Colts Club.

The sporting theme will run throughout the day with displays of Tai Chi and dance, visitors to the event will also be able to sponsor a participant in an unusual river race.

The village fishing club, Kinver Freeliners, are hosting a duck race on the river Stour to raise charity cash.

Sponsors will be able to buy a duck prior to the race, set to start at 3pm, from the Freeliners on the High Street opposite the Parish Council offices.

Rock bands from the village will be showing off their skills on the High Street stage and Dudley Hospital Radio will be in action from their site at Danesford Gardens, Stone Lane.

Fayre organiser, Lin Hingley, said: "It will be a super day out with free admission and free parking at Edgecliffe School.

"People will be able to enjoy the day without spending a penny."

Programmes for the event are already available from shops in Kinver, the 50 pence programme contains details of the cake competition which, this year, is being held in memory of fayre stalwart Joan Hoste, who died four years ago.

Lin Hingley said: "She was a pillar of the community, involved in a lot of things and we still miss her greatly."

Kinver Country Fayre stars with a parade at 1pm and will continue with events and around 100 stalls throughout the day.