Hotel occupancy rates in Birmingham reached their highest point since records began in September.

New figures released by Marketing Birmingham show rates hit 82 per cent, the highest since 2003, and a seven per cent increase year on year.

The rise was also 16 per cent up on August 2014 while the average room rate increased to a three-year high of £66, a £10 rise from £56 in 2013.

Birmingham was boosted by hosting the Conservative and Green party conferences during September, two international cricket fixtures between England and India at Edgbaston Stadium, Autumn Fair 2014 at the NEC and the National Housing Federation Annual Conference.

The figures were collated by travel research company STR Global and analysed by the Marketing Birmingham Regional Observatory.

Birmingham has also maintained its position as the UK's most popular conference and events destination outside London in the sixth annual British Meetings & Events Industry Survey 2014/15.

Emma Gray, director of marketing services for Marketing Birmingham, said: "These are extremely encouraging results for Birmingham's hotel sector.

"The sheer number of high-profile events taking place in September has generated an unprecedented peak in hotel occupancy across the city.

"With an exciting calendar of events in 2015, including the Rugby World Cup at Villa Park and the opening of the Grand Central Birmingham shopping complex, early evidence suggests that it will be an equally successful time for our local hoteliers."