Ipswich is making a joint bid to become the UK's first City of Culture.The competition to become the UK's City of Culture in 2013 will enter its next stage tomorrow.
Ipswich and the Haven Gateway are making a joint bid to become the UK's first City of Culture for 2013.
The bid was launched at a ceremony today and will be submitted to the government tomorrow.
If successful, the region could host a series of top events including the Brit Awards and the BBC Sports Personality of the Year in 2013.
The bid unites Ipswich and Colchester - the main urban areas of the Haven Gateway - as well as the surrounding rural and coastal communities.
The region will be competing against 20 other cities for the title including Norwich and Southend.
It's expected that a shortlist of five cities will be announced in January or February 2010 with final bids being submitted in May next year.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here