Southend bids for cultural crown

Southend hoping for culture title

Southend-on-Sea is bidding to become the United Kingdom's first City of Culture in 2013.

The local borough council is up against over 30 other nominations for the title, created by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport.

The winning location will host big national cultural events and hold its own year-long programme.

The idea for a UK city of culture follows the success of Liverpool being the European Capital of Culture.

"We feel it is a golden opportunity to improve the perceptions of Southend-on-Sea," said Cllr Derek Jarvis.

"We love to have our day visitors here, but there are many things going on which we feel will add to the regeneration of the town."