County Durham are hoping to attract millions of visitors to the city by winning the competition.

The council announced County Durham had outlined plans for the Durham 2025 campaign and submitted the bid.

A year-long programme of arts, culture, sport, science and economics is hoped to win the council the name of the UK City of Culture.

If successful, the city would become the first county bid to ever achieve the status.

To celebrate County Durham moving a step closer to their victory, giant inflatable artwork, created by local artist Steve Messam, is being displayed at several locations across the city.

Leader, Cllr Amanda Hopgood, said: “It’s fantastic to be able to finally share our exciting plans for Durham 2025. County Durham has such a huge potential, and we are determined to bring together our extraordinary people, places and ideas to help transform not just the county, but the whole of the north east.

“This is a bid on behalf of the whole county. We want everyone who lives and works in County Durham to be a part of our journey and to reap the benefits of a successful bid. Our plans will involve every person, town and village in County Durham.

“Whatever your age or background, there will be a whole host of events and opportunities for you to get involved in during Durham 2025 so please do continue to get behind the bid.”

The programme includes a 12-month celebration in honour of Durham’s 1,300 year-history of space science, an international celebration of the bicentenary of the railways and a travelling fair that asks big questions about the local economy.

The Lumiere festival is expected to outdo every previous one and create a lasting legacy of jobs.

The Durham 2025 artwork displayed outside Raby Castle (Credit: Durham County Council)

Becoming the UK City of Culture could bring more than 15m visitors to the region and an additional £700m in visitor spending.

This could lead to a further 1,800 jobs in the tourism sector.

Partnering up with Durham University on behalf of Culture Durham, the two organisations share the belief that culture has the power to transform lives.

Chair of Culture Durham, Tony Harrington, said: “A vibrant cultural offer can truly transform communities. Not only does it help to bring people together, but it also raises aspirations and helps to create long-lasting opportunities for communities to get involved with cultural activities.

“We know that we have so much to offer already here in County Durham. But we also have a unique opportunity, through the bid, to demonstrate how culture can help skill and employment levels to soar, businesses to grow and high streets to thrive.

That is also something that so many other towns, cities and countries can also use for their own growth.”

The winner of the UK City of Culture will be declared in May, with the remaining contending cities being shortlisted further next month.

Vice-chancellor of Durham University, Professor Karen O’Brien, said: “We are proud to be principal partners of the Durham 2025 bid for UK City of Culture.

“Durham University is integral to the cultural vibrancy of the city and county. We are home to world-class museums and collections, our student music, theatre, sport and volunteering enriches our community life immensely, and we’re committed to sharing our learning and facilities to the benefit of the whole region.

“We think Durham would make an excellent UK City of Culture. We hope the judges agree and we look forward to being part of a rich and diverse programme in 2025.”

The winner will take the title from Coventry, who were ranked number one in 2021. Since then, the city has attracted over £100m in capital investment to support cultural projects.