Stockport has put its hat into the ring to become the UK's next town of culture.

Our town is among around 400 others competing for the title, which has been introduced by the UK government's Department for Culture, Media and Sport.

The participating towns will submit a bid aiming to demonstrate their distinct identity, culture, and contribution to the country's history.

They also have to produce a programme of cultural events which it will introduce should they win.

Each town has also submitted a postcard for the competition.

Stockport's is stylised as a box of prescription medicine, saying its 'active ingredients' are "talented freelancers and creatives; local businesses; community networks and creative organisations; more than we can list, plus a whole heap of creativity and passion".

The towns will be competing in one of three different categories depending on their size - small (under 20,000 people), medium (20,000 - 75,000 people), or large (more than 75,000 people).

Stockport falls into the large category.

A winner will be selected from each category, then an overall winner will be decided out of these three.

The overall winner will be given £3m to deliver a cultural programme, while the other runners up will receive £250,000 each.

Culture secretary Lisa Nandy said: "Everybody deserves the chance to share their pride in the place they call home and to have access to quality art, music, dance and drama wherever they live. That is why we are launching the UK Town of Culture.

"Great culture is not confined to our largest metropolitan centres; it is everywhere, rooted in communities across the country. But for too long that talent and contribution has gone unrecognised."

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