Birmingham Royal Ballet honoured on Walk of Stars

The Birmingham Royal Ballet and its director David Bintley have been honoured on the city's Walk of Stars on Broad Street.

The stars were presented during the city's annual Artsfest event.

In March Birmingham Royal Ballet celebrated its 20th birthday with a visit from Prince Charles.

The only other Walk of Stars double presentation was made to BBC Radio 4's The Archers and long-serving cast member Norman Painting.

Painting, who died aged 85 last year, had played Phil Archer since the show's trial run in 1950.

Comedians featured

Birmingham Royal Ballet has had annual audience numbers averaging 500,000, a spokesman said.

Mr Bintley, the company's artistic director, was made a CBE for services to the arts in 2001.

He has been honoured on the Walk of Stars alongside other famous people from the West Midlands region.

Actor Julie Walters, comedians Lenny Henry and Frank Skinner, radio and TV presenter Chris Tarrant and sports commentator Murray Walker are among the personalities already featured on the city's walkway.

Broad Street Business Improvement District is the team behind the Walk of Stars.

Artsfest, held from Friday to Sunday, is a free festival of arts held in Centenary Square, which includes appearances by comedians, bands, dancers, orchestras, artists and singers.