Bolton and Stockport compete for city status

Two of Greater Manchester's towns are going head to head in the race to be named as the UK's newest city.

Bolton and Stockport have both submitted bids to become a city as part of the Queen's Diamond Jubilee celebrations in 2012.

For Bolton, it marks the town's fourth attempt at changing its status after losing out to Preston in 2002.

Any towns hoping to become cities must submit bids by the end of Friday. The winner will be revealed in 2012.

Bolton revealed its ambitions to become a city in February saying it was "a city in all but name".

Stockport is basing its bid on the town's size - the borough has a population of 283,000 - its heritage, tourist attractions and transport and business links.

The competition for city status to mark the Queen's Diamond Jubilee was announced in January.

Towns competing include Dudley, Reading, Gateshead, Middlesbrough and Perth.

Greater Manchester, which is made up of 10 boroughs, already has two cities - Manchester and Salford.