Aberdeen to prepare bid for UK City of Culture title in 2017

Aberdeen will put together a bid team in the hope of winning

Aberdeen is to put together a bid to become the UK City of Culture in 2017.

Councillors have agreed to spend more than £500,000 on a campaign, with most of that funding a 'bid team'.

The council's chief executive, Valerie Watt, previously helped Derry win the bid for next year. She said securing the title for Aberdeen would transform the city.

In 2009, Aberdeen withdrew its bid to become the UK's City of Culture for 2013 due to council finances.