The Lord Mayor of the City of London made a whistlestop visit to Birmingham - to help foster links between finance sector operations.

He described Birmingham as playing a key role in the UK's success in the field.

Lord Mayor David Brewer yesterday attended the Copthorne Hotel as guest of Alliance and Leicester and was also at a venture and equity finance forum at the Council House, hosted by the West Midlands Business Council.

During the visit he met officials from range of financial and business firms, institutions and key figures in the sector including the Birmingham-based Islamic Bank of Great Britain and Lord Mayor of Birmingham Mike Sharpe.

Earlier he told The Birmingham Post the city was key to the UK's success in the sector and over 100,000 jobs in 600 professional and financial services firms depended on it.

He said: "Birmingham is the heart of England and its energy and talent help generate billions for the UK."

The Lord Mayor was keen to build venture capital links and discussed the next steps for co-operation.

Birmingham is the home to the UK's largest professional and financial services sector outside London.