Beautiful BIRMINGHAM! Photographer sets out to change perception of Britain's maligned second city with stunning images

Verity Milligan has set out to dispel Birmingham's image as one of the UK's ugliest cities

Her pictures capture the West Midlands metropolis from unusual angles to bring out its hidden beauty

The extensive canals, parks, squares and even the much-mocked Selfridges building are given a makeover




Birmingham frequently gets a bad reputation for its appearance, often being voted the ugliest city in the UK.

However one photographer has sought to change that image by taking dazzling pictures of the city of more than a million people.



Verity Milligan, originally from Northamptonshire, has taken her camera to explore beauty in the sprawling West Midlands metropolis.



Landmarks: A photographer has taken beautiful pictures with an unlikely source - Birmingham. (Left to right) The BT Tower, the Rotunda, St Martin's church and the Bullring Selfridges building

Bathed in the light: The new Birmingham Central Library in Centenary Square during sunset. Birmingham frequently gets a bad reputation for its appearance

Fox Hollies Park in south Birmingham during sunset. A main feature of the park is the large pool, which has a wide variety of fish

City lights: Centenary Square, including the Central Library and the ferris wheel, lit up at night

'It has changed my perspective on the city by exploring it from different angles and now I think it's very beautiful,' said the 31-year-old.



The photographs show the city and landscape of Brum in dramatic form, the infamous Selfridges building is seen shimmering as the sun rises over the city.



The legendary canal network, famously more extensive than Venice's, is seen appealingly bathed in soft light.



Ms Milligan, who teaches video production, often gets up early in the mornings to get the best pictures.



'The city is really quiet at sunrise, you don't see it when it's not busy with people running around.'



Victoria Square in Birmingham city centre with the council house, right, and town hall, left, looming over. The fountain, featuring a naked woman, is locally known as 'The Floozie in the Jacuzzi'

Unlikely beauty: A view of the Digbeth area of Birmingham during a foggy sunrise

Grandiose: St Martin's church and the Nelson statue near the Bullring, Birmingham city centre

The photographer said: 'There might be prettier cities, but I think there are parts of Birmingham that are absolutely beautiful, and worth exploring'

Sunset over Broad Street, famous for its dining and nightlife

When asked what she had to say to people who criticise Birmingham, she said: 'If you explore any city and give it your time, it can change your perspective.



'There might be prettier cities, but I think there are parts of Birmingham that are absolutely beautiful, and worth exploring.'



Birmingham has not only been voted the ugliest city, but the famed Bullring Selfridges building had been voted the ugliest building in the UK.

The Grand Union Canal in Birmingham. Birmingham has more canals than Venice

Ethereal: Fox Hollies Park wreathed in mist. Verity Milligan says if you scratch beneath the surface the city can be beautiful

Lickey Hills Country Park. The hills are a popular country park area and they afford panoramic views over much of the surrounding countryside

Glory: Ms Milligan, who teaches video production, often gets up early in the mornings to get the best pictures

The Grand Union Canal. The project has changed my perspective on the city by exploring it from different angles and now I think it's very beautiful,' said the 31-year-old

Even the author Jane Austen had it in for Brum. A line from her book, Emma reads: 'One has no great hopes of Birmingham. I always say there is something direful in the sound.'



More recently it was even voted the most boring and least romantic city in Europe.



But as Verity's pictures show, you may have to dig a little deeper to unearth Birmingham's splendour.

