REDDITCH'S council leader says Birmingham getting the 2022 Commonwealth Games could be great news for the town.

Birmingham was the only city to submit a bid to host the games before Saturday's deadline, the Commonwealth Games Federation said.

Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia, Victoria in Canada and a potential Australian entry had been thought to be possible bidders but none came forward.

Leader councillor Bill Hartnett said: "This is great news for all of us in the West Midlands as I am aware that Birmingham wish to spread the sport venues around.

"If successful the West Midlands will have improved facilities for years to come.

"This will, in my opinion, open possible opportunities for Redditch in several areas including a possible sporting training venue as well as in hospitality for catering and hotels, as well as having a wide range of world class sport available on our doorstep."

He added: "I have been backing Birmingham’s bid and encouraging the city from when they said they we thinking of expressing an interest after Durban, who had been awarded the games, withdrew."

Councillor Ian Ward, interim leader of Birmingham City Council and chairman of the Birmingham Commonwealth Games Bid Committee, said they are excited about edging closer to the opportunity to bring the Games to Birmingham.

"The support we have received from a range of public and private sector partners and from across the wider West Midlands region and beyond has been incredible and we thank everyone for backing Brum’s bid to get us this far," he said.

The Commonwealth Games Federation says it will now review the bid to check it "meets the requirements of successfully hosting" the event.

Birmingham beat Liverpool earlier in September as Britain's candidate city.