THIS week we received the fantastic news that the Black Country's bid for the People's Millions has got through to the final four.

But I think it's too early to celebrate. We've got to knuckle down and make sure our project wins the public TV and website vote that would bring £50 million of lottery funding to local environmental projects - including the Wrens Nest.

And if we win December's vote, that will be the time to slap ourselves on the backs.

Our vision for a green' Urban Park will make a difference to the lives of a million people in the Black Country. And the spin-offs for jobs and trade through increased tourism and trade could help bring even more investment and boost prosperity for the long-term.

But it's going to be a tough fight and I want everyone in Dudley and across the region to Stand UP for the Black Country' and vote for the Urban Park in December - because we'll only win if more local people vote and get their friends and family to vote as well.

The project involves four key schemes, but the one that will make the biggest difference to Dudley is the plan to open up the caverns under the Wrens Nest National Nature Reserve - and save one of the world's most important geological features.

There'll be major visitor and education attractions at the Wren's Nest, stabilising and refurbishing the Seven Sisters limestone mines and subterranean canal basin. Visitors will travel underground by boat and rise to the surface by an inclined lift. A new interpretation centre will explain how 400 million years of geology led to the Black Country becoming the workshop of the world'.

Other projects will regenerate Wolverhampton's canal network, develop a 12-mile green bridge' park linking Walsall and West Bromwich town centres and improve access to green places.

We're working flat out to win this funding for the area, but the truth is that we won't win if people don't vote, so we need everyone to back the bid.