By Suzanne Virdee BBC Midlands Today presenter

As a Brummie I have always been proud of Birmingham, but I realise we have had a bit of an image problem.

Those not privileged enough to have visited our fantastic city mistakenly think of us as a grey, dirty place lacking in culture and history.

Now though I think we are finally shaking that off.

Birmingham's ballet is renowned

With the transformation of our canal system - said to be more plentiful than Venice - at Brindley Place, we have transformed our city from an ugly duckling into a swan.

The International Convention Centre and world class Symphony Hall have attracted not only top names in entertainment but also high praise from world leaders.

When Bill Clinton visited for the G8 Summit in 1998 we knew we had arrived.

But no one could have imagined the great man - then the president of the United States and the most powerful man in the world - would be so impressed he would take a break from world discussions to take a stroll around and relax with a pint outside a bar.

Sir Simon Rattle raised the profile of the city's orchestra

He not only told the world what a great place the city was but showed it too, thanks to the mass media attention his visit attracted.

We have got the world famous City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra (CBSO) recently led by Sir Simon Rattle, Birmingham Royal Ballet, and the Birmingham International Film Festival.

'Impressive'

Travel just a few miles away and you can get to Stratford, birthplace of Shakespeare, or Ironbridge, the home of our industrial heritage.

On a more modern note, top bands ELO, Moody Blues, UB40, Ocean Colour Scene and Duran Duran all started here too.

Our tight-knit multicultural community gives the city a fantastic richness, inspiring events such as our St Patrick's Day Parade and Birmingham International Carnival.

People call us the second city and I know London is our capital, but living and working here I feel that Birmingham and the Midlands region should be our first city.

Bill Clinton helped put Birmingham on the map

Since his visit, Bill Clinton has continued to back our campaign. Recently he said what a fantastic waterfront and impressive convention centre we have.

If we have managed to have made such a long lasting impression on a man who's seen the best places in the world, then surely we must be not only a hot favourite for the title of European Capital of Culture - but a clear winner.

The more I say those four little words, European Capital of Culture, the better and more fitting it sounds.

I've got my fingers firmly crossed for next May and I know anyone who has visited the city recently will have too.