FOOTBALL, cricket, ballet and banquets were among the free events enjoyed by Birmingham councillors in 2010.

New information on hospitality accecpted by Birmingham City Council members in 2010 revealed they were offered highly-prized Carling Cup Final tickets along with passes to Test Match cricket and tennis at Wimbledon.

Councillors last year also listed regular trips to watch Aston Villa and Birmingham City from executive boxes.

And there were complimentary seats at the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra and the Birmingham Royal Ballet.

Councillors must declare any gifts or hospitality they receive worth more than £25, and have a month to enter details in the Statutory Register of Gifts and Hospitality which has just been made public.

It revealed council leader Coun Mike Whitby was invited to five Premier League matches and was given free England v Pakistan Test Match and Wimbledon tickets.

During the course of the year, Coun Whitby (Con, Harborne) accepted invitations for more than 100 events, mainly lunches and dinners hosted by private companies.

Deputy leader Coun Paul Tilsley watched Blues v Wolves as well as Villa’s Carling Cup Final defeat to Manchester United.

He was given three tickets to the showpiece game by Marketing Birmingham, which is part-funded by the taxpayer through the council and other public sector organisations. Tickets were also supplied to Coun Tilsley (Lib Dem, Sheldon) for two unspecified football matches during the year, as well as for the CBSO’s birthday concert, the BRB’s performance of Cinderella and several Moseley rugby matches.