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UK City of Culture 2017 contenders announced
Leicester mayor Peter Soulsby, who backs his city's bid, said the Curve theatre illustrates the quality and variety of performing arts spaces
Eleven places have put their names forward to become the UK City of Culture in 2017.
The government-led programme is inspired by Liverpool's time as European Capital of Culture in 2008.
The English contenders for the 2017 title are Chester, East Kent, Hastings and Bexhill-on-Sea, Hull, Leicester, Plymouth, Portsmouth and Southampton, and Southend-on-Sea.
Swansea Bay in Wales and Aberdeen and Dundee in Scotland are also competing.
The chosen place will succeed Londonderry, which is the City of Culture for 2013 and the first place to be awarded the title.
Plymouth Sutton and Devonport MP Oliver Colvile hopes the title will encourage investment in his city
Announcing the list of contenders, Culture Minister Ed Vaizey said: "The competition brings together communities and creates economic and social benefits and I am pleased to see so many local authorities and different partners coming together."
All 11 places must formally submit their initial bids by 30 April.
The bids will be considered by an independent panel, chaired by Phil Redmond, creator of popular TV series including Grange Hill, Brookside and Hollyoaks, and a shortlist will be announced in June.
Mr Redmond said: "The UK City of Culture can be a real catalyst for change and I'm delighted so many places have registered their interest in the competition for 2017."
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Comment number 266.
CURTAINS 20127th March 2013 - 0:36
Given Scotland's coming departure from UK, there's no pint in considering application from North of the border.
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Comment number 265.
thrill_vermilion7th March 2013 - 0:24
It speaks volumes that the English places are listed first with the rest tagged with "are also competing".
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Comment number 264.
CURTAINS 20126th March 2013 - 23:49
This comment was removed because the moderators found it broke the house rules. Explain.
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Comment number 263.
Matthew6th March 2013 - 23:24
@262.you must be right
Hey mate you did read my last comment @260 right?
Never mind anyway, bet it will not be a Welsh city, we are never given anything, it is just take, take, take.
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Comment number 262.
you must be right6th March 2013 - 23:02
Everywhere and everyone has (a) culture, but some are more cultured than others.
Highly subjective though, and too much room for pointless offense. Good job it's in safe hands - the brains behind Hollyoaks.
What happens if Aberdeen or Dundee get it and Scots vote for independence? UK city of culture 2017 not in the UK?? Could be a way to drum up interest. They can have my vote.
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Comments 5 of 266