Pontypridd, Birkenhead and the Isle of Bute have been nominated for the first UK City of Culture

Basildon, Birkenhead, Grimsby and Rotherham are among the big places in the running for the title of the UK’s first City of Culture.

The 15-strong shortlist released by the government’s Department for Culture, Media and Sport (CMS) on Thursday includes medium-sized Corby, Great Yarmouth, Leith, Pontypridd and Port Talbot.

Smaller areas such as Ilfracombe, Isle of Bute, Lerwick, Sandown, Strabane and Stockton Town Center Ward are off the list.

Each venue will now receive £60,000 in funding to complete a full bid and then three winners – the best small, medium and large venue – will be chosen by an independent jury early next year.

The overall winner from these three finalists will be crowned UK City of Culture 2028 and receive a £3 million grant to host cultural events.

The two winners will each receive £250,000 to carry out part of their programme.

The UK City of Culture divides cities into three distinct populations: small cities (under 20,000), medium-sized cities (20,000-75,000) and large cities (over 75,000).

The new competition – which saw 15 places out of 400 applications – will be held alongside the competition UK City of Culture 2029