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Comedian Jasper Carrott has urged city centre businesses to back an organisation which he says is helping to improve the city’s image.

The star was guest speaker as the launched the ballot needed to ensure it can raise a levy and provide services for the area it covers including , , and Broadway Plaza.

Mr Carrott was at the event as chairman of the Broad Street Walk of Stars which last year held celebrations in honour of ELO mastermind Jeff Lynne and former footballer Trevor Francis. He said these events secured national coverage.

He said that as a passionate Brummie he wanted to see the renaissance of the city continue and that Westside had an important to play by investing in, marketing and providing services like extra street cleaning and street wardens.

Speaking at Symphony Hall, he recalled a time when Broad Street, like much of the city, was dirty and industrial and said places like the Bingley Hall in Broad Street was "disgusting".

"Vandals used to break in to decorate it," he joked. "I have seen the regeneration of this city and I am now proud to bring visitors to my city because we have an astonishing array of places to go, theatres, cinemas, we've re-done the canals, improved the city centre. Over the last ten years, the BID has made a massive difference in this area."

He said the Walk of Stars, an initiative from Westside's predecessor Broad Street BID, had been a huge success in promoting the city, attracting tourists and global media attention. Last year, Mr Lynne and Mr Francis were honoured and achieved national coverage.

He said he wanted to keep the high calibre of stars and international attention the Walk of Stars brought.