Dudley fails to get Queen's Diamond Jubilee city status

Dudley Castle was one of the strengths of the bid, the council said

The borough of Dudley has failed in its bid to be made a city to mark the Queen's Diamond Jubilee.

Chelmsford, Perth and St Asaph have been chosen for "city status" out of the 23 towns that applied.

Dudley Council said it had spend £500 on preparing and submitting the bid.

Council leader Les Jones said: "In my view this represents great value for money when considering the national profile the borough has received on the back of it."

The borough said its bid was based on the area's history and heritage, which laid the foundations to being at "the heart of the Industrial Revolution".

Councillor Jones said applying for city status was the beginning of a "bright future" for Dudley borough with a "regeneration revolution" to improve towns and to boost trade and tourism.

The awards were granted by the Queen under the royal prerogative, following advice from ministers.

The grant of city status is purely honorific and confers no additional powers, functions or funding.

Events to mark the Queen's 60 years on the throne began last month and will come to a head with four days of celebration in the first weekend of June.