DURHAM will discover today whether it has made the shortlist for UK City of Culture.

The Government is expected to announce a shortlist of four cities at lunchtime.

Melanie Sensicle, chief executive of Visit County Durham – bid organisers, said: “A lot of hard work has gone into our bid and we think we have a strong case to be shortlisted.

“Hopefully, the judges will feel the same. We know the competition from other cities will be fierce, but we have done our best. All we can do now is keep our fingers crossed.”

The first UK City of Culture honour is for 2013.

Durham is one of 14 bidding for the prize, which could mean the winner hosts highprofile showpiece events such as the Brit Awards and BBC Sports Personality of the Year.

Other favourites are Norwich, Sheffield and Birmingham, Barnsley, Hull, Ipswich and the Haven Gateway, Carlisle, Chichester, Portsmouth and Southampton, Oxford, Derry, Southend and Swansea.

It is believed victory could boost the county’s economy by £120m.

It could also create 3,500 jobs, nearly double the number of hotel beds and double the number of creative businesses.

Durham submitted its bid, the front cover of which features a picture of Sir Bobby Robson, with his quip: “I’d have given my right hand to be a pianist”, in December.

The county has a number of events lined up for the next few years, including a second Lumiere light festival, an Ashes Test and the loan of the Lindisfarne Gospels, but securing the Culture prize could bring more.

Judges include Sunderlandborn DJ and TV presenter Lauren Laverne and the winner will be revealed in the summer.

Last week, Prime Minister Gordon Brown said Durham was ready for the honour and he hoped it was chosen.

Back the bid at durhamcityofculture.co.uk