SWANSEA BAY is set to put itself forward for the UK City of Culture 2017 title.
The city has joined forces with Neath Port Talbot and Carmarthenshire to bid for the status.
UK Government Culture Minister Ed Vaizey said: "This is fantastic news and shows the appetite for the prestigious City of Culture title is in healthy supply right across the length and breadth of the country.
"The competition brings together communities and creates economic and social benefits and I am pleased to see so many local authorities and different partners coming together. I wish all eleven the best of luck."
Swansea is one of 11 areas across the UK to have applied for the status for 2017. They are Aberdeen, Chester, Dundee, East Kent (covering Ashford, Canterbury, Dover, Folkestone and Thanet), Hastings and Bexhill on Sea, Hull, Leicester, Plymouth, Portsmouth and Southampton and Southend on Sea.
The cities and regions have until April 30 to submit their initial bids which will be considered by an independent advisory panel chaired by Phil Redmond. The panel will then decide on a shortlist which will be announced in June.
Swansea Bay previously applied for the title in 2009, which would have made it UK City of Culture this year. However, it failed to make the shortlist, with the status eventually won by Londonderry.
Dynamic
Phil Redmond, chairman of the independent advisory panel, said: "The UK City of Culture can be a real catalyst for change and I'm delighted so many places have registered their interest in the competition for 2017.
"Together with the panel I am looking forward to receiving some ambitious and dynamic bids that highlight the very best of local cultural talent, along with delivering a realistic programme that will appeal to as wide an audience as possible."
