The title of European Capital of Culture is within Belfast's grasp according to Northern Ireland Culture Minister Michael McGimpsey.

He was speaking as he welcomed the eight-strong judging panel to the Odyssey centre in Belfast on Monday.

Mr McGimpsey said: "There is no avoiding the fact that the image of Belfast that has recently been on television screens throughout the UK has been one of violence and confrontation.

But there is much more to our city and our province than that."

Michael McGimpey: "We are front-runners in this bid"

The panel includes Sir Jeremy Issacs as chairman and Sue McGregor and Judith Mayhew as vice chairs.

Belfast is seen as one of the favourites to win the title and the minister's welcome is being seen as the final push for Imagine Belfast, the team responsible for the city's bid.

Hilary McGrady, the chief executive of Imagine Belfast, said the judges had been impressed.

"They probably said it to all the cities but they certainly seemed impressed," she said.

"As we went along the day a lot of them commented on individual visits and so on.

"We got a general sense that they were upbeat and well impressed."

She said winning the title would be an opportunity for Belfast to make a difference.

"This is a tool for change. We need change. We see the city, the Capital of Culture bid as being that opportunity."

Other cities in the running include Liverpool, Newcastle, Birmingham and Cardiff.

The title is conferred annually by the European Commission.

Bids

Member states take it in turn to nominate a cultural capital, and it falls to the UK in 2008 - the first time since Glasgow was named European City of Culture in 1990.

Bids had to be in to the government by March 2002, with the winner chosen the following year.

Mr McGimpsey said the city's record of achievement in the arts, sport and industry were not diminished by recent problems.

"Our resilience and our determination to create a better life for everyone in Belfast and in Northern Ireland have enabled us to make huge progress over the last few years.

"That spirit will not be diminished by recent violence. We are front-runners in this bid because we have earned that respect.

"I am determined that that will not change."