Image source, DYLAN DRUMMOND

Dundee musicians have released the official single supporting the city's bid to become European Capital of Culture 2023.

Over Bridges, external features performers including Kyle Falconer from The View, Adam Hunter, Model Aeroplanes and St.Martiins.

The song is produced by former Danny Wilson singer Gary Clark, who also features on the track.

Clark said he was approached by the team behind Dundee's bid.

Read more here.

Labour MSP Mary Fee congratulates Paisley and Dundee on their bids.

Ms Fee commends the Dundee by team for asking the public to contribute idea for the city's programme proposal.

The Labour MSP says the Paisley bid is all about using heritage assets to drive forward regeneration.

She says she hopes the history of Paisley is told for a long time to come.

Image source, DUNDEE CITY COUNCIL

A £1.84bn proposal to create up to 15,000 jobs in Tayside and North East Fife was announced in February.

The Tay Cities Deal submission document, external includes more than 50 projects, including a scheme to boost employment through oil and gas decomissioning.

The bid seeks £826m over 10 years from the Scottish and UK governments and their agencies.

The remainder would come from councils, colleges and universities, and the public, private and voluntary sectors.

Read more here.

SNP MSP Graeme Dey says he will attempt to make as strong a case for Paisley as George Adam made for Paisley.

Mr Dey says his constituency is Angus South and that Dundee it is a vibrant confident city.

The SNP MSP says Dundee has excellent educational institutions with excellent links.

He says the local authority work being done on the Tay Cities Deal demonstrates partnership working at its best.

Image source, ALAN RICHARDSON

Dundee's European Capital of Culture 2023 bid team are encouraging the public to contribute ideas for the city's programme proposal.

The call for creative contributions marks 100 days until the bid proposal deadline on 27 October.

A new website, external has also been launched to document Dundee's individual connections to European communities.

The UK competitors are Dundee, Leeds, Belfast-Derry, Truro-Cornwall, Nottingham and Milton Keynes.

The European Capital of Culture competition is an annual designation awarded to two European cities on a rolling programme.

Both Hungary and the UK will host a Capital of Culture in 2023.

Read more here.

Tory MSP Maurice Corry says the aims of Dundee's bid is something for everyone to be proud of.

The Tory MSP says Paisley is dear to his heart and he is delighted it has been recognised in such a way.

He says Paisley is in his region and he would love it to be successful because it would bring enormous benefits to the town.

The late singer Gerry Rafferty is best remembered for his classic 1970s hit Baker Street but he also wrote songs about his home town Paisley.

Rafferty grew up on the town's Foxbar estate before bursting on to the folk scene with the Humblebums, whose line-up also included Glaswegian comedian Billy Connolly.

With Stealer's Wheel, Rafferty wrote the huge hit Stuck in the Middle With You before later embarking on a successful solo career.

He also produced numerous hits including The Proclaimers' first single, Letter from America, in 1987.

Rafferty died in 2011 and the town now runs a festival in his honour.

SNP MSP George Adam says his calves were not coping to well as he was poised waiting to get up and he is delighted that this will be an afternoon of "Paisleyness".

Mr Adam says Paisley and Dundee are alike in embarking on a journey to show people what they are.

The SNP MSP says the town now believes anything can happen.

He says the town has given the world so much culturally.

Mr Adam says Ferguslie Park, where he is from, is not defined by deprivation and has produced the likes of Gerry Rafferty.

Image source, JOHN COOPER

In July Paisley was shortlisted as the sole Scottish contender vying to become the UK City of Culture in 2021.

The Renfrewshire town is up against Coventry, Stoke, Sunderland and Swansea for the title, credited with attracting major investment to former winners.

The UK government's department for digital, culture, media and sport will announce the winner at the end of the year.

A bid by Perth to make the shortlist was unsuccessful.

Paisley's bid focused on a £42m plan to create a national museum of textile and design and reconnect the town with its famous Paisley Pattern.

• Read more here
• Does Paisley deserve to be City of Culture?
• 10 Reasons Why Paisley Is Already A City of Culture
• Paisley 2021, external

Image source, bbc

Lib Dem MSP Alex Cole-Hamilton says:"Dundee has always been a city of culture to me."

Mr Cole-Hamilton says Dundee deserves international recognition.

The Lib Dem MSP also welcomes the Paisley bid.

He says he is struck by the warmth in the chamber behind both bids.

Image source, bbc

Green MSP Ross Greer says Paisley has the distinction of being the only Scottish city mentioned in Karl Marx's Das Kapital.

Mr Greer says Karl Marx wrote about the brave Scots of Paisley.

He says Paisley's rich cultural heritage can be strengthened by winning UK City of Culture in 2021.

The Green MSP says even the bid has helped but winning would make all the difference.

Image source, bbc

Mr Bibby praises Loud and Proud and the PACE theatre company.

The Labour MSP says: "he bid is not just about celebrating Paisley, it is about making a difference.

He says 4,500 jobs could be created over 10 years with a successful bid.

"I believe the bid has the ability to transform Paisley."