Swindon will not bid for 2012 city status

Officials in Swindon have confirmed the town will not be bidding for city status as part of the Queen's Diamond Jubilee celebrations.

The town had failed in two previous attempts in 1999 and 2002 and Swindon Borough Council said it would not try a third time.

A spokesman for the Conservative-run council said it would rather tackle real issues and not chase titles.

"In the economic climate it would not be in our interests," he added.

Towns competing for city status include Bournemouth, Luton, Milton Keynes, Middlesbrough, Medway, Reading, Bolton, Chelmsford, Stockport, Perth, Gateshead, Ballymena, Guildford, Southend-on-Sea, Ipswich, Wrexham, Croydon and St Austell.

The winning bid is expected to be announced in February 2012.