Birmingham has been named the most popular destination outside the capital for corporate conferences and events.

The city pipped rivals such as Manchester and Cardiff to second spot in the seventh annual British Meetings & Events Industry Survey (BMEIS).

The business tourism survey is based on the buying tendencies of nearly 500 British event organisers from the corporate and not-for-profit sectors.

The 2015/16 survey highlighted that access, location and value for money were the most important factors for industry professionals when choosing a location.

In 2015, Meet Birmingham - the city's official business tourism programme - said it attracted and supported more than 20 events from the region's best performing business sectors, resulting in a £36 million economic boost.

Emma Gray, director of marketing services for Marketing Birmingham which operates Meet Birmingham, said: "Birmingham has established itself as a welcoming and respected events destination for local, national and international organisers, highlighted by the latest rankings of this influential, industry-wide survey.

"To build on this success, the city has invested on unprecedented scale to further improve its infrastructure and connectivity for business tourism visitors.

"Many landmark developments, such as New Street station, have come to fruition in 2015.

"During the coming 12 months, we will be capitalising on this momentum and ambition by encouraging more organisers to experience Birmingham's offer."

The rankings in the BMEIS are:

1) London

2) Birmingham

3) Manchester

4) Edinburgh

5) Glasgow

6) Bristol

7) Leeds

8) Liverpool

9) Cambridge

10) Cardiff