THIRTY-nine places across the UK and British Overseas Territories could be granted city status as part of a competition to mark the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee in 2022.
Eight areas across Scotland have applied for city status, including Dumfries, St Andrews, Dunfermline, Elgin, Greenock, Livingston, Oban and South Ayrshire.
In England, Bournemouth, Reading, Doncaster and Blackburn are some of the 22 towns wishing to become cities. And in Wales, Bangor and Wrexham have submitted bids.
In Northern Ireland, Ballymena and Coleraine are in the competition.
For the first time ever, British Overseas Territories and Crown Dependencies were also eligible to apply for the title.
Stanley in the Falkland Islands, almost 8000 miles away, is one of the places to apply, and there are also entries from George Town in the Cayman Islands and Gibraltar.
According to the Cabinet Office, winning city status can provide a boost to local communities and open up new opportunities for people who live there.
The Cabinet Office has also announced the 12 cities which are vying for Lord Provost or Lord Mayor status, including Newport and Perth – which previously won city status to mark the Queen’s Golden and Diamond Jubilees respectively.
Some of the other cities applying are Bath, Inverness, Newport and Lancaster.
The competition is part of celebrations to mark the Queen’s historic 70-year reign, with a special four-day bank holiday weekend set to start on Thursday June 2.
As part of their bids, applicants were asked to talk about the distinct identity and community which they feel means their area deserves to become a city, as well as evidence of links to royalty.
Unlike previous Civic Honours competitions, an expert panel will work closely with ministers to make their recommendations, which will then be approved by the Queen.
The final decision will be taken in spring 2022 and announced shortly afterwards.
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