Final step in bid for UK Culture title

SHEFFIELD is set to take its final step in the move to become the inaugural UK City of Culture today. Following the submission of the final bid document last month, the team behind the city's bid will today present their case to an independent decision panel chaired by Phil Redmond, the man behind Brookside, Grange Hill and Liverpool's European Capital of Culture bid.

The panel will make its recommendations to the new secretary of state for culture, media and sport Jeremy Hunt ahead of a final decision in July.

Sheffield Council leader Paul Scriven, below, said: "As all of us who live, work or visit the city know, Sheffield is an authentic cultural gem.

"We really hope that winning UK City of Culture 2013 will help us show the rest of the world everything that the city has to offer." It is estimated that winning the title could boost Sheffield's economy by 302m. Other shortlisted cities are Birmingham, Derry and Norwich.