Department for Culture, Media and Sport (CMS)

“The 15-strong shortlist, released on Thursday by the government's department for Culture, Media and Sport (CMS), also includes the medium-sized Corby, Great Yarmouth, Leith, Pontypridd, and Port Talb…”

“Each place will now receive a £60,000 funding boost to develop a full bid and then three winners - best small, medium and large place - will be chosen by an independent judging panel early next year.”

“An overall winner from these three finalists then will be crowned the UK Town of Culture 2028 and receive a £3 million grant to host cultural events.”

“The two runners up will receive £250,000 each to carry out part of their programme.”

“The UK Town of Culture categorises towns into three specific population brackets: small towns (under 20,000), medium towns (20,000-75,000), and large towns (over 75,000).”

“The new competition - which has seen 15 places selected from almost 400 applications - will run alongside the UK City of Culture 2029.”

“The places shortlisted for the inaugural prize will be hoping to follow in the footsteps of the previous winners of the more established UK City of Culture competition, including Derry-Londonderry in…”

“Blackpool, Ipswich, Milton Keynes among nine finalists for UK City of Culture 2029.”