CHELMSFORD has won the race to be awarded City status, it has been announced.

The county town of Essex has been joined by Perth in Scotland and St Asaph in north Wales as being crowned cities, a rare honour bestowed by the Queen.

MP Simon Burns said: “I am delighted that after almost 25 years of trying the town of Chelmsford has been honoured by Her Majesty The Queen and been granted City Status in Her Diamond Jubilee Year.

"It is a tremendous honour for the town and will bring considerable joy to the local community.

“It has always surprised me that Essex does not have a city within its boundaries and so it is a particularly proud moment for the town to be awarded this honour today.

“I would like to congratulate everyone at Chelmsford Council and elsewhere who worked so hard and put such a compelling bid together, which has lead to this honour for our community.”

Deputy prime minister Nick Clegg MP announced the result and said: “Congratulations to Chelmsford, Perth and St Asaph who have been granted these rare honours from a field of exceptional entrants.

“Across the United Kingdom, I have been moved by the pride and passion which people have shown in putting their nominations forward.

“The standard of application was very high, and those who missed out should not be downhearted. “I hope the competition has given the residents of all of the places which applied a sense of civic pride, of collective ownership and of community spirit.”

A total of 26 towns submitted applications to the Government last year and Reading was a favourite throughout, with Chelmsford placed halfway down the betting by bookmakers on Monday, with odds of 18/1.

The honour gives no official powers or funding but is thought to attract extra investment to an area. This year’s honours are to mark the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee.

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