AFTER months of consultation Hereford has sent off its bid to become the City of Culture 2021.

The Herefordshire Cultural Partnership (HCP), a group of individuals, arts organisations and businesses, prepared the bid to be sent off to the Department of Media, Culture and Sport (DCMS) in time for the deadline of April 28.

Hereford is up against 10 other cities in the UK and the four shortlisted cities will be announced mid-summer.

Clare Wichbold, from HCP, said: "It’s been a long, but incredibly exciting process to bring the bid together.

"It shows that Herefordshire is a special place but with big ambitions. We want the opportunity to achieve these ambitions, and City of Culture is a great way to do it."

Hereford’s bid is distinctive because it is for all of Herefordshire, not just for the city.

Every four years a British city wins the title of UK City of Culture.

The title is designed to use culture as a catalyst for economic and social regeneration and raise the profile of arts and creativity locally and across the country. The first award was made in 2013, with Derry/Londonderry the inaugural UK City of Culture and this year Hull is UK City of Culture 2017.

Ian Archer, chief executive of the Courtyard, Hereford said: "I had the pleasure of working in Hull from 2010/13 but it was always one of the least known and visited cities in the UK.

"Having now revisited Hull during its City of Culture year, they can be justly proud of what they have achieved."

He added: "City of Culture has given Hull a new lease of life, an economy that is on its way up and an energy that is inspiring."

Winning the title would mean a year-long itinerary of events and festivals for everyone to access and it is expected to stimulate jobs, boost businesses and increase the county’s tourist industry.

It would celebrate the county's market towns and villages, farming heritage, ancient castles, hidden gems, the vibrant arts scene, the natural beauty of the countryside, rivers, cathedral and of course – Herefordshire’s people.

The social media campaign for Herefordshire's bid is "We’ve got the welly for it" and is a reflection of the county's rural environment and the grass roots energy that is seen throughout the county. Post your welly pictures on social media (Instagram, Twitter and Facebook), using the hashtags #thewellyforit #hereford2021.

For more information visit www.herefordcityofculture.org.

The winning city will be announced in Hull towards the end of the year.