UK City of Culture 2021 shortlist announced

Coventry, Paisley, Stoke-on-Trent, Sunderland and Swansea will compete to be named UK City of Culture 2021.

The shortlist was selected from a group of 11 towns and cities that had registered bids to take the title from current holders Hull.

The winning city will be announced in December and stands to receive a £3 million Heritage Lottery Fund grant.

Minister for Arts, Heritage and Tourism, John Glenn, said: "We have received strong bids from across the UK and now have a fantastic shortlist of five that reflect the diversity and cultural ambition of our towns and cities.

"I want to congratulate all eleven bids which offered brilliant examples of how to celebrate their own unique culture and heritage, and showed just how prestigious and coveted the UK City of Culture is."

Within months of winning the title for this year, Hull opened more than 450 events, exhibitions and activities, prompting at least 1.4 million visits.

"We're only halfway through the year and we're already seeing the huge benefits Hull is enjoying, said Martin Green, director of Hull 2017.

"But what has impressed me the most is how the people of this city have taken ownership of their year, with 90% trying at least one cultural event in the first three months."