Southampton will not be the next UK City of Culture, it has been announced.

The title has been awarded to Bradford in West Yorkshire.

The announcement was made by Culture Secretary Nadine Dorries during The One Show, just after 7.20pm.

Representatives from the city's bid gathered at Solent University to watch the big reveal live on a big screen.

Despite the disappointing news, council leader, Cllr Satvir Kaur praised the competition process, which she says brought the city together "like never before".


Read more: Southampton misses out on City of Culture crown as title goes to Bradford - As it happened


"Just because we won't be the City of Culture 2025 doesn't mean we aren't a brilliant city of culture," she said just after the announcement.

"We have come together in this city as we have never done before - the process has been transformative in Southampton."

For the first time in the competition's history, runners-up will also win a cash prize.

Southampton, County Durham and Wrexham County Borough will all be awarded £125,000 each to take their bids further.

Claire Whitaker OBE, Director of Southampton2025 Trust, added: "We are naturally very disappointed but know that we gave the process everything we could have and that the bid has brought us together like never before.

"I would like to thank Southampton City Council, Solent University and the University of Southampton for continuing to support the Southampton2025 Trust and ensuring that culture remains at the centre of our city and wider region."

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