Peak district chiefs pledge their support for city of culture bid

Sheffield is the only English city with a national park within its boundary and council bosses hope the fact that is it the most visited in the country will improve their chances.

Narendra Bajaria, chairman of the Peak District National Park Authority, said: "The experience from Liverpool, which was European Capital of Culture in 2008, proves there are huge economic, cultural, image and resident benefits.

"City of Culture status affects both the city and across the wider region. We would really like to work with Sheffield to develop an unrivalled tourist package for 2013 which engages people in both culture and the environment.

"The Peak District is already an amazing place for local people and of course attracts many millions of visitors. However, if Sheffield became UK City of Culture in 2013 this would be taken to a new level."

Paul Billington, director of culture at Sheffield City Council, said: "Sheffield is already a great place to visit. Winning UK City of Culture and offering easy access to the outstanding landscape of the national park as part of the offer to tourists puts us in a unique position.

"Visitors will target Sheffield not just for a day visit but for a protracted stay during 2013. World class culture plus the best of the great outdoors is a brilliant offer by anyone's standards.

"Capitalising on the relationship between Sheffield and the Peak District National Park makes 2013 a major opportunity for both the city and our surrounding rural areas."