Survey reveals best of Midlands

The Austin Mini, Cadbury's chocolate buttons and Alton Towers are among the greatest innovations to emerge from the Midlands over the past 50 years, according to a new survey.

The survey was commissioned by Grant's blended Scotch whisky to mark the 50th anniversary of its iconic triangular bottle - an innovative design classic.

Back in 1957 when the bottle was designed, the Midlands was a different place.

The British Motor Corporation was in its infancy - the company had moved into the famous Longbridge Austin factory in 1952; chocolate and confectionary was a rare luxury having just returned to the mass market following the war; and Alton Towers was not a giant theme park but a grand stately home.

Fast forward 50 years and the Mini has become a global brand - no longer produced in Longbridge, the car is now assembled in Oxford; Cadbury's factories now exist everywhere from New Zealand to Turkey; and Alton Towers is now one of Britain's most popular tourist attractions - opening as a theme park in 1980, it attracts more than 2.5 million visitors each year.

The You Gov survey found that 17 per cent of Midlanders believe that the Mini is the region's best innovation from the past 50 years, while nine per cent voted for Cadbury's buttons.

Topping the poll were MRI Scanners - developed in the 1970s by a team from Nottingham university. These 3D medical scanning machines received 35 per cent of the votes.

While some things may have changed over the past 50 years, the region's love for Grant's blended Scotch whisky certainly hasn't.

The complex blend is a favourite in more than 180 countries across the globe.

The story behind the bottle began with an innovative young designer called Hans Schleger.

In 1957 he was charged with the task of redesigning Grant's traditional round bottle.

Hans decided to try a different angle - or three - by creating the famous shape. The iconic Grant's bottle was born. Grant's Master Blender, David Stewart said: ''There is such a great wealth of interesting innovations and diversity in the Midlands.

"I'm delighted that our survey has captured a range of the region's talents. We're happy to celebrate the best of the region. Join us and raise a glass to our bottle's birthday."

MRI Scanners topped the survey with 35 per cent of the vote; Austin Mini - 17 per cent; Alton Towers - nine per cent; Cadbury's Buttons - seven per cent; East Midlands Airport - seven per cent; Birmingham New Street Station - three per cent; Centre Parks, Sherwood Forest - three per cent; Two tone music - two per cent; Pride Park Stadium, Derby - one per cent, and Buxton Festival, Derby - one per cent.