Plans to give the exterior of Birmingham’s National Exhibition Centre (NEC) a major facelift have been given the go-ahead.

Under the proposals halls one to five at the NEC, which was originally constructed in 1976, will be transformed with new cladding. Installation is expected to take place in the coming months after the scheme was given the green light by Solihull Borough Council.

Some of the materials set to be used during the project are similar to those at the 02 Arena in London and at the temporary buildings used at the London 2012 Olympic Games.

A statement sent to the council on behalf of the NEC said: “The facelift proposals feature 37 trapezoid translucent reinforced PVC membrane covered structures that are LED back lit at night with a galvanised steel backframe.

“The lighting is also part of the tender which will feature four LED coloured floodlights at the bottom part inside trapezoid.

“There will also be 56 flat PVC flexwrap flat membrane panels which are mostly 10m high by 5m wide to the front of house of hall one and five.

“The PVC flat panels will be printed with graphics supplied by the NEC and have a no fade guarantee of 10 years.”

NEC Group originally submitted the application to the authority in December 2017.