Royal Ballet's director is honoured

The Birmingham Royal Ballet's artistic director David Bintley has spoken of his pride at being honoured on the city's Broad Street Walk of Stars.

Two stars for the company and Mr Bintley were presented during the city's annual Artsfest event at the weekend when the ballet also performed.

The two new stars will sit alongside those already awarded to the likes of Ozzy Osbourne, Jasper Carrott, Frank Skinner and Julie Walters.

It is the second time the team behind the Broad Street Business Improvement District - which organise the awards - has made a double presentation, with the first going to BBC Radio Four's The Archers and long time cast member Norman Painting.

Birmingham Royal Ballet was formed in 1990 following Sadler's Wells Royal Ballet moving to the city and has become a worldwide success. In March it celebrated its 20th birthday with a visit from Prince Charles.

Father-of-two Mr Bintley, 53, of Edgbaston, Birmingham, is been the company's artistic director since 1995 and was made a CBE in the Queen's 2001 Birthday Honours list.

He said: "This recognition of the company and all that it has achieved in the 20 years it's been based in Birmingham is fantastic.

"The company live and work in the city and we believe we have become part of the very fabric of this great place.

"To walk down the street and see our names actually there on the pavement gives everyone an understanding of what we are helping Birmingham to become.

"This 20th anniversary year of the company being based in Birmingham has been celebrated in many ways and this is certainly one of the best."

Mike Olley, Broad Street manager, said it was the 19th and 20th star they had presented.

He said: "It's a ballet and artistic director which are recognised internationally.

"It's homegrown, genuine talent and it's remarkable it happens here in the Midlands."

Artsfest attracted a total of 270,000 visitors over the weekend. The Twang played to a capacity crowd in Centenary Square on Sunday marking the end of the festival.

The three-day event is the UK's biggest free arts festival.