The UK's five biggest towns that are all desperate to become cities

in 2022 saw eight towns awarded city status.

The award followed a year long competition as part of a series of planned celebrations to mark historic, 70-year reign.

civic honours competition required applicants to show their cultural heritage and royal links as well as how their local identity and communities meant they deserved to be granted city status.

, , , , , , and the capital Stanely were successful in gaining the crucial status but 30 aspiring towns were left disappointed.

Many have not given up hope and aim to be successful if and when a similar opportunity occurs again.

What is the incentive?

Winning city status can provide a boost to local communities and open up new opportunities for people who live there, as has been the case with previous winners Perth and Preston who saw benefits to the local economy following the award.

Speaking during the application process, Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster Steve Barclay said: "City status is not only about local pride, it can deliver real levelling up benefits for businesses and the local area."

City status is often associated with the presence of a cathedral, university or large population, but this is not the case. There are no set rules governing what can and cannot become a city, as the award to Stanley in the Falkland Islands demonstrates, being home to less than 3,000 people.

The biggest aspiring towns

The size of some of the towns denied city status will shock many, with the five biggest by population size being home to over a million people.

The five biggest are:

5. Middlesbrough 140,000

believed it had put together an exciting bid which showcased the best of what the town had to offer, but was ultimately unsuccessful.

Mayor Andy Preston maintained perspective in defeat as he said: "Honestly, it's not a big deal, it's something we would've liked to have had and something - when we asked people here - that they wanted us to apply for.

"But it's not going to make a difference to our plans and our ambition and our future."

4. Reading - 165,000

The town is home to the , rated by the Sunday Times as the 24th best in the country which has delivered over £500m of capital investment over the last decade.

It has birthed some of the most well-known English public figures, with the , , and all being born in the town.

3. Dudley - 200,000

In the Midlands, the town of Dudley was an industrial powerhouse throughout the 19th century.

Dudley Castle, which for centuries served as the administrative centre for the West Midlands. The castle was the scene of one of the more "interesting" historical finds in recent years, when condoms made from animal membrane and dating back to the reign of James I were discovered here.

2. Bournemouth - 200,000

is home to a university and Premier League football team but was unsuccessful in its bid to become a city.

As one of the larger towns to miss out, a council leader reflected that although the award is simply a title, gaining city status could be the key to securing economic investment in the area.

BCP Council portfolio holder for regeneration, Philip Broadhead told the Daily Echo: "Should Bournemouth get city status, in my eyes it cements the view that we may have one council but we have three fantastic towns within it to be proud of."

1. Warrington - 210,000

in the North West, best known for its rugby league team, spent £4,800 on its bid to gain city status.

Council leader Russ Bowden said following the failure that he was proud of the ambitious attempt which he said shows the vision of the future for the town.

Cllr Bowden said: "While it is disappointing that we have not been granted city status, we can look back with pride on our bid."