Fifteen towns have made the shortlist for the UK's first Town of Culture competition, chosen from nearly 400 applications submitted from across the country.
The contenders span three categories: small towns including Ilfracombe, Isle of Bute and Lerwick; medium towns such as Corby, Great Yarmouth and Port Talbot; and large towns including Basildon, Birkenhead and Rotherham.
Each shortlisted town will receive £60,000 to develop its full bid, with an independent panel – chaired by Sir Phil Redmond – selecting one finalist per category.
The overall winner, to be named UK Town of Culture 2028, will receive a £3m grant and host a season of cultural events, while the other two finalists will each get £250,000.
Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy commented: 'I am so glad that so many towns have applied and I hope each and every town, whether they have been shortlisted or not, is incredibly proud of the work they have done to champion their local community.'
