The Cornish town hoping to become UK’s smallest city

A Cornish town is bidding to become the UK’s smallest city.

Marazion, which is located on Cornwall’s south west coast near Penzance, has a population of less than 1,500 residents.

If its bid to become a city is approved, it would become the Duchy’s second city after Truro - and the smallest in the country, replacing Wells in Somerset.

It would also become the most southerly city in the UK and the most westerly city in Britain.

Its bid is part of the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations, which Reading, Bournemouth and Middlesborough have also applied for.

‘Size not important’

Cllr Richard Stokoe, who is chairman of the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Committee, believes Marazion would be a “fitting and popular place” to become a city.

“As it is often said, size is not important,” he said.

“Despite being a David in a field of Goliaths applying for city status, anyone who has ever lived, worked or visited Marazion knows that there is something for everyone and that it would be a worthy winner of the award.

“Becoming the smallest city in the UK would bring a buzz to Marazion, pride to local people and a real opportunity to help boost inward investment and create jobs.

"Apart from for holidays and tourism, south west Cornwall has been an area that has all too often been overlooked, forgotten and ignored by the rest of the country.

“Making Marazion a city would show that Cornwall is no longer a Cinderella county.”