ACC Liverpool has won a prestigious Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) Award, it was announced last night.

The Queen is to tour the Arena and Convention Centre Liverpool (ACC Liverpool) and unveil a plaque marking its completion and formal opening, it is announced today.

A major event is to be held in the final part of ACC Liverpool to open this week, marking the total completion of the new facility.

The BBC announced today that the BBC Sports Personality of the Year event will be held at The Echo Arena Liverpool and will be covered live on BBC ONE on Sunday 14 December.

Judges at International Confex, held each February at Earl's Court in London, bestowed the accolade on the brand-new £164million waterfront venue, adding: "This is a venue worthy of the claim: Capital of Conference."