Nottingham is basking in the international spotlight this week thanks to a succession of major international events.

After Monday’s victory in the Aegon Open Nottingham ATP for rising young Croatian star Ana Konjuh, 17, in the women’s final, the Men’s event starts on Saturday with its later stages already a sell-out success, while tomorrow (Wednesday) sees the New Zealand tourists facing an England cricket team that must win the One Day Cricket International at Trent Bridge if they are to stay in contention to win the five-match series.

And away from the sports arenas the third event in line for international attention this week is the city’s hosting of the 10th annual UK Light Rail Conference.

The conference returns to the Nottingham Conference Centre for the second year in succession with more than 250 delegates from all over the UK and around the world converging on the centre to learn from and debate with scores of expert speakers and panellists about the latest advances in light rail.

Councillor Nick McDonald, the City Council’s Portfolio Holder for Jobs, Growth and Transport, said: “To be hosting three such major international events in a single week and to see the UK Light Rail Conference return to the city after last year’s success is brilliant for Nottingham.

“This demonstrates that we are now strong contenders in the major conference market, while all of these events will bring immediate benefits for local hotels, restaurants and venues.

“Hosting such diverse sporting and commercial attractions also does a great deal to promote Nottingham nationally and internationally, enhancing inward investment prospects and endorsing our credentials on the international stage. It’s all good news for the local economy.”