Title aims to emulate success of 
european scheme on merseyside

The initial proposals were first mooted in January 2009 when it was announced that then Culture Secretary Andy Burnham was considering establishing a British City of Culture prize.

A working group was established before a competition was unveiled in June 2009 and a total of 14 cities applied, with four bids – Sheffield, Birmingham, Norwich and Derry-Londonderry – shortlisted.

It was announced in July the following year that Derry-Londonderry would be the UK City of Culture 2013, a title that the city has been allowed to hold for the 12-month period.

The next contest for the 2017 title saw a shortlist of four bids from Dundee, Hull, Leicester and Swansea Bay announced in June of this year.

Television producer and screenwriter Phil Redmond and a panel of eight other judges were given the task of deciding on the winner, before Hull was unveiled as the triumphant bid yesterday.