IPSWICH is one of the contenders to become the UK's first City of Culture in 2013, it emerged today.It is one of 29 contenders from across the country aiming to take the title for the first time.

IPSWICH is one of the contenders to become the UK's first City of Culture in 2013, it emerged today.

The town is one of 29 contenders from across the country aiming to take the inaugural title.

Ipswich is bidding as part of the Haven Gateway, and could include cultural attractions like Constable Country, the Orwell Estuary and the Suffolk Heritage Coast in its submission.

The full list was due to be announced later this month, but news emerged after TV mogul Phil Redmond, who is heading the search, revealed the details to a national newspaper.

Ipswich will be competing against places with a well-known cultural background, like Oxford, Chester, Manchester, and Cheltenham and Gloucester, and also against nominees whose cultural identity is less clear - like Barnsley, Hull, and Wakefield.

One nomination has come from “The Countryside” while the entire county of Cornwall is hoping to persuade Mr Redmond's team it is a “City of Culture”.

Borough director Jonathan Owen said Ipswich had not yet submitted a formal bid - it has only expressed an interest in joining the race - but he was confident the town had a strong case.

He said: “When you look at what Ipswich and the Haven Gateway has to offer, we feel there is a very good chance of this area being the first UK City of Culture.”