IPSWICH: Another bid for city status is to be made in 18 months’ time – but little effort will be spent on the town’s fourth attempt at the honour.

The Queen is to name a new city to mark her diamond jubilee in 2012 – and Ipswich is expected to submit a formal application.

It will be the town’s fourth bid in two decades – it missed out in 1992, 2000, and 2002 – but unlike in previous years there is not likely to be a major campaign surrounding the application.

A spokesman for the borough said that in difficult times it was felt that such a campaign would be inappropriate.

He said: “There will be a formal application submitted, but that is about it.

“We have other things that we need to do to re-construct the way the council operates. We cannot afford the time or money for a major campaign.

“Ipswich is a thriving town whether or not it gets city status.”

The borough’s stance was supported by new MP Ben Gummer.

He said: “During all my campaigning in the run-up to the election, I didn’t come across anyone who said that getting city status was a priority for them.

“There’s nothing wrong with writing a letter – but that’s really all that we should do. After all the efforts that were put in on previous occasions it would be just our luck to get it this time!”

The northern towns of Bolton and Middlesbrough are currently ranked among the favourites for the honour which is expected to be announced in February 2012 which will mark the diamond jubilee of the Queen’s accession to the throne.

In 1992 Sunderland became a city to mark the Queen’s 40th anniversary and in 2000 both Brighton and Wolverhampton became cities to mark the millennium.

In 2002 Preston became a city to mark the Queen’s golden jubilee.

n Should Ipswich make another bid for city status? Write to Your Letters, Evening Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, IP4 1AN or e-mail eveningstarletters @eveningstar.co.uk