A bid to create Scotland's seventh city has been backed by new First Minister Alex Salmond.
He publicly endorsed a campaign for Perth to be given city status "at the next commemorative opportunity".
Perth is an "ecclesiastical city" because it has a Cathedral but is legally considered a town.
Mr Salmond told a newspaper: "The people of Perth already believe they live in a city - the Fair City of Perth. It should now be recognised."
Perth and Kinross Council launched a claim for formal city status in 2005 after a search of its archives uncovered the "Golden Charter" of 1600 to back its claim.
'Meets criteria'
Scotland currently has six cities. The newest being Stirling and Inverness which joined Aberdeen, Dundee, Edinburgh and Glasgow.
City Status is a reserved matter and is granted by the Queen under royal prerogative on advice from ministers.
However in 2005 the Scotland Office said the Queen had not expressed any wish to make further grants of city status.
Mr Salmond said he was aware of a local campaign by the council and local politicians to have Perth named as a city.
"Perth certainly meets all the criteria and deserves to be Scotland's next city," he said.
"I support campaigners in their efforts to seek city status."
^ Back to top | BBC Sport Home | BBC Homepage | Contact us | Help | ©
~RS~q~RS~~RS~z~RS~44~RS~)