Central NEC News

The Birmingham NEC played host to an event which showed off current and future solutions to traffic jams, parking problems and switched off street lights.

The event comes with the Government looking into ways to reduce street clutter such as excessive signs or lights in Britain's towns and villages.

• UK
• NEC

75,000 people are expected to attend this year's Gadget Show Live event, which begins today. The five day event is being held at the NEC in Birmingham.

Andy Bevan has been to have a look at some of the gadgets on show.

• Technology
• The Gadget Show Live
• NEC

The Gadget Show has opened at the NEC in Birmingham.

More than 75,000 people are expected to attend over the next five days to test out the latest gadgets from more than 200 companies exhibiting at the show.

The presenter of Channel 5's 'The Gadget Show', Jason Bradbury, says every year there are some amazing creations.

The Gadget Show Live runs until Sunday.

• Technology
• The Gadget Show Live
• NEC

Britain's largest consumer interactive technology event begins today at the NEC.

The Gadget Show Live is in its 5th year, and is expected to attract around 75,000 people.

The week long event showcases some of the world's most impressive technology.

• Technology
• The Gadget Show Live
• NEC

Around 25,000 dogs and their owners are heading to Birmingham today for Crufts 2013.

The opening day will feature various dog displays and competition finals, including Friends for Life, the Agility Championships and Best at Show.

Crufts 2013 has attracted more than 2,000 dogs from overseas for the first time. A total of 2,131 dogs from 41 different countries will take part at the show, including dogs from Hong Kong, India, Indonesia and Malaysia, none of which have previously been represented.

• And Finally
• Crufts
• NEC

Young Kennel Club members have arrived at Crufts 2013 today ahead of the show's launch on Thursday (March 7).

The event, which takes place at Birmingham's NEC, is the largest dog show in the world. This year will see more than 25,000 dogs competing.

Abbie Reynolds from Wootton Wawen in Warwickshire, arrived today with her dog, Marley, to take part in the Young Kennel Club's 'Heelwork to Music Freestyle' competition.

According to a recent survey by the Kennel Club, dogs are becoming more intelligent following Ashleigh and Pudsey's success on Britain's Got Talent.

The pain from Wellingborough won ITV's talent contest in 2012.

Crufts 2013 has attracted more than 2,000 dogs from overseas for the first time. A total of 2,131 dogs from 41 different countries will take part at the show, including dogs from Hong Kong, India, Indonesia and Malaysia, none of which have previously been represented.

• And Finally
• Crufts
• NEC

Building work started today on a new hotel, cinema and casino which will create around 2000 jobs.

The casino will be one of the biggest in the UK.

The Malaysian firm behind the project says it will ensure that people gamble responsibly.

• Money
• Birmingham
• NEC

A computer generated fly through has been released of what the £150m NEC leisure complex will look like.

1100 jobs will be created when it's up and running and will house a casino, cinema and shopping area.

• Money
• Birmingham
• NEC

Further information will be revealed today about the £1.5m pound complex which is to be built at the NEC in Birmingham.

The company behind Resorts World Birmingham is expected to reveal details about what will go in the complex and if any more jobs will be created.

• Money
• NEC
• Casino