Birmingham's London "embassy" is moving, three years after its grand opening in the heart of the capital.

The office, run by the city council and the NEC Group, is to move from Piccadilly to Charlotte Street, in the heart of London's media district.

But one city MP urged the council to consider whether the office was needed at all.

Richard Burden (Lab Northfield) said it was used for events and meetings which could just as easily have been held elsewhere, for example by booking a room in the House of Commons.

The office, known as Birmingham W1, has two major roles. It is designed to help the city council lobby the Government and other decision-makers based in London to get a better deal for the city and the West Midlands.

Its second role is to provide facilities for people from Birmingham who want to conduct business in London.

More than 213 organisations have registered to use the offices, and 35 of these use it regularly, according to the NEC.

The office was used for 250 formal meetings or events last year, and visited by 1276 people visited the office.

In addition there are many informal meetings held in the office, according to the NEC.

Birmingham W1 will take over part of the old Film Four studios and will feature brand new meeting facilities and access to a private 30-seater screening room.

The city council said the new venue would be more convenient for visitors using London Euston station.

Neighbours of the new office include Saatchi and Saatchi, The British Museum, University College and Bloomsbury.

Mr Burden said: "They say they are making good use of the London office.

"But I have not been to any events there which could not have been hosted elsewhere.

"I'm not convinced an all-singing, alldancing office us a good use of money.

"It isn't needed in order to get Birmingham's voice heard in Whitehall. What is important is working with Parliamentarians and Ministers, and with civil servants."

But John Lamb, spokesman for Birmingham Chamber of Commerce, said: "It is a wonderful asset for the city and I know it has been used by the business commodity.

"The new location will make it even more convenient to get to for people travelling in to London through Euston station."