Belfast's bid to become European Capital of Culture will be highlighted on Wednesday with a visit to the city by a government minister.

Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport Tessa Jowell is to visit the Waterfront Hall.

The race for the competition is hotting up, with the shortlist due out in November.

Belfast is competing against 11 other cities for the honour.

Tessa Jowell: Belfast visit

Last month, Northern Ireland Culture Minister Michael McGimpsey said the title was within Belfast's grasp.

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

The panel included 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 was seen as the final push for Imagine Belfast, the team responsible for the city's bid.

European Commission

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

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

The title is conferred annually by the European Commission.

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.