It was a night of history, glitz and glamour as hundreds of the most important people from across the West Midlands celebrated the 150th anniversary of The Birmingham Post. More than 500 of the great and good gathered at Birmingham University on Friday night for the Post's anniversary gala dinner.

The fabulous surroundings of the Great Hall saw some of the biggest players in the region and luminaries attending the fund-raising black tie extravaganza.

But the star of the night was Conservative Party leader David Cameron who delivered a keynote speech in which he praised The Birmingham Post and the city it represents, while also delivering a blistering attack on the Government.

The evening was compered by TV presenter Michael Buerk, who revealed he was rejected for a job on The Birmingham Post before embarking on a successful television news career.

He said: "It's great to be back here, not only because I'm from Birmingham but because the last time I was here my son was graduating.

''He was the editor of the student newspaper here - and was also rejected for a job by The Birmingham Post.''

As well as the sumptuous dinner, the audience had the chance to tax their distinguished minds with a quiz put together by Post staff.

And there was a secret auction with a chance to win luxury Champagne breaks or a day on television among other fabulous prizes. The auctions were led by Peter Tomlinson, the former Tiswas presenter and now the High Sheriff of the West Midlands.

Birmingham Post Editor Marc Reeves said: "It's a spectacular location and the night is living up to its billing as the biggest event in town.''

The night was also marked with the launch of the new Birmingham Post website and it also saw the launch of the Birmingham Post Awards, a new set of accolades designed to highlight the best and the brightest - the people who make Birmingham the success story it is.

Sir Richard Knowles, the architect of modern Birmingham, was given a posthumous Lifetime Achievement award for his tireless work designing and implementing the regeneration of the city.

His widow Lady Ann Knowles and son from an earlier marriage Bill Knowles were there to accept the award on his behalf.

Lady Ann Knowles said: "We think it's just a wonderful thing to have happened and the nicest thing is, he knew he was being offered this award and was proud it was a Birmingham prize.

''He would have been delighted to have received it here tonight and he would have had a wonderful time.  'He should have been doing his speech up there tonight.''

Councillor Paul Tilsley, the deputy leader of Birmingham City Council, was Politician of the Year for his work developing coalition power-sharing in Birmingham.

CBSO conductor Sakari Oramo was named Cultural Figure of the Year. The Finnish conductor embarked on his final season as music director of the orchestra, earning acclaim for his contributions to Elgar's 150th celebrations with an outstanding performance of the Dream of Gerontius, and also a revelatory performance of the Apostles at the Proms.

Ian Neale, the head of his eponymous construction company, built Nuneaton Borough's football ground, which opened this year, and has grown his company into one of the business powerhouses of the West Midlands. He was named Businessman of the Year.

Manager Martin O'Neill was named Sports Personality of the Year for leading Villa in one of their most promising seasons for years.