The first artist's impressions of the Midland Metro travelling through Eastside can be revealed today as work gathers pace on the £130 million scheme.

The images come as the public are invited to choose one of two possible routes for the extension into Digbeth - seen as key to the success of the Birmingham Curzon Masterplan to make the most of HS2.

The trams could be running by 2023, three years before the Curzon Street HS2 station is set to open. Community leaders say they are key to creating thousands of jobs.

The plans have been drawn up by Centro and Birmingham City Council and include two options to link New Canal Street with a proposed terminus and multi-storey car park at Adderley Street.

Centro chairman John McNicholas said: "The Eastside extension will provide a direct link to HS2 and its regional, national and international connection for tens of thousands of people in the Black Country and Birmingham who already have access to the Metro.

"It will help cater for the movement of the 12,000 West Midlands people expected to arrive at the HS2 station every hour and provide fast and convenient public transport options for people to the east of the city."

Coun McNicholas said the public would be given a chance to have their say on the route in six public meetings this month.

Option one is two-thirds of a mile long and follows Fazeley Street before turning onto Liverpool Street.

There would be a stop close to the junction with Great Barr Street and Heath Mill Lane. Trams would then continue along Liverpool Street before turning into Adderley Street.

The second option is almost a mile long and runs along New Canal Street and Meriden Street before turning left onto High Street, Deritend.

It would then run along the centre of the carriageway with a stop close to the junction of Milk Street to serve Birmingham Coach Station and the Custard Factory. It would then turn left into Adderley Street.

Work on the Metro extension from Snow Hill to New Street station is currently taking place and future tram extensions along Broad Street to Edgbaston are planned.

The earliest the Eastside trams could operate is 2023 but that relies on government approval of a Transport and Works Act Order.

Tahir Ali, Birmingham City Council's cabinet member for development, transport and the economy, said: "The Midland Metro project is a hugely important step forward for Birmingham as it will create new jobs, encourage business growth and help boost the region's economy.

"This proposed extension would take this vision even further, ensuring that people and businesses across the city are connected as never before.

"We now need people to come forward and tell us what they think so that we can make sure the finished scheme is as effective as possible."

A series of consultations are taking place:

- The Bond, Fazeley Street: 11.30am - 5.30pm, October 14

- Victoria Square: 10am - 6pm, October 16

- The Coach Station, Digbeth: Midday - 5pm, October 17

- Winter Garden, Fazeley Studios: 8am - 11am, October 23

- The Dome, Custard Factory: Midday - 4.30pm, October 23

- Birmingham Markets: 9am - 3pm, October 25