COVENTRY has been named UK City of Culture 2021, beating out a comprehensive bid from Paisley for the crown.
The only Scottish nomination on the shortlist, Paisley was competing against Coventry, Sunderland, Swansea and Stoke-on-Trent.
The bid included the establishment of a new museum dedicated to textiles and costume, in recognition of how Paisley made its fortune after the industrial revolution.
Estimates had predicted a £176 million economic boost for the Renfrewshire town if it had came out victorious.
The National will have the inside story of Paisley's bid in tomorrow's newspaper.
The announcement was made in Hull during the BBC's The One Show, as the current UK City of Culture's year-long celebration nears an end.
The competition is held every four years, with Derry-Londonderry named as the first winner in 2013.
Laura McMillan, manager of the Coventry City of Culture Trust, said: "This is a win for Coventry, a win for young people and a win for diversity. The economic impact will be huge for the city and the West Midlands.
Emma Harrabin and Justine Themen, from the Coventry bid delegation at the announcement in Hull, admitted they were surprised by the announcement as they had not dared to think they might win.
Harrabin said: "We really felt on this whole journey that the city was with us.
"We've been inundated with messages of support on social media. It's just been such a wonderful way for the city to come together and celebrate what it has to offer."
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