Norwich hopes for cultural recognition

Norwich Castle Museum: a cultural asset for the city

Norwich has put its case to the panel of judges as it bids to be awarded the title of European Capital of Culture.

A group from the city council put forward its case in London on Tuesday.

The city expects to find out by the end of the year if it has made the shortlist.

Every European Union member state will have one of its cities chosen; the designation rotates annually and it will be England's turn in 2008.

The 11 other cities competing for the title are Belfast, Birmingham, Bradford, Brighton and Hove, Bristol, Canterbury and East Kent, Cardiff, Inverness and the Highlands, Liverpool, Newcastle/Gateshead, and Oxford.

Each will be seen by the committee over the next few weeks.

The designation was developed by the EU in 1999 to highlight what European cultures have to offer and promote cultural communication between member states.

The cities holding the title this year are Salamanca in Spain and Brugge in Belgium.