The Birmingham Press Club has re-named its annual press ball to reflect is increasing reach.

Now called the Midlands’ Press Ball, it is being sponsored by East Midlands Airport as the club’s broadens its base into the East Midlands alongside its traditional Birmingham and West Midlands heartland.

The switch for this year’s event, themed ‘A Night of Elegance’, follows the rebranding of the Press Club’s annual prize-giving to the Midlands Media Awards to incorporate East Mids titles.

Press Club Chairman John Lamb said: “We have been delighted at the growing support shown by East Midlands publications, journalists and photographers in the media awards.

“Now we hope to welcome a strong contingent from the East Midlands at the ball – one of our social highlights of the year – especially as we have the continued backing of East Midlands Airport.

“With the challenging economic outlook at the moment, we thought we would try to introduce a theme which would give people an excuse to have a good night out. So we’ll even have a special prize for the most elegantly-dressed couple of the night.”

Heart FM’s breakfast show presenter Ed James will again be the compère with proceeds from the raffle going to the Birmingham Mail Charity Trust and the Derbyshire, Leicestershire and Rutland Air Ambulance which is based at East Midlands Airport.