Oxford is looking to the future, the leaders of its bid for cultural capital of Europe said on Wednesday.

Secretary of State Tessa Jowell announced the city is one of six in the running for the title of European Capital of Culture 2008.

Birmingham, Bristol, Cardiff, Liverpool and Newcastle/Gateshead are the other contenders whittled down from an original list of 12.

Prime Minister Tony Blair will announce the eventual winner next May.

'Cultural excellence'

Paul Langford, Chair of the council's Oxford Inspires campaign said: "We're delighted to be on the shortlist and have our sights firmly set on winning the competition.

"This is not just a bid for Oxford; it's the best bid for Britain.

"Our global profile for cultural excellence, combined with exciting plans for 2008, will help Oxford attract more visitors to the UK than any other city in the competition."

More than �100m has been raised to support capital developments linked to the Oxford bid.

Academic centre

If Oxford wins the city will stage a 366 day festival, celebrating the ways that Oxford inspires creativity.

Joe Simpson, who is heading Oxford's bid said: "I think it shows that we managed to demonstrate that our bid is about the future and that we are not resting on our laurels."

Oxford is world famous as a centre of learning and is a city steeped in history.

However, it has tried to move away from its Brideshead Revisited image and promote itself as a centre of creativity and innovation.