Amble enters race to be Town of Culture 2028
BBCAmble has entered the race to become the first ever UK Town of Culture.
The small fishing town in Northumberland is the latest in the North East to bid for the status along with Gateshead, North Shields and Bishop Auckland.
Town of Culture 2028 will run alongside the UK City of Culture award, with the winner receiving a £3m prize and two runners-up getting £250,000 each.
Mayor of Amble Luke McTaggart, 25, said: "We're really proud of our town, we've got a beautiful seafront, a thriving high street and we like to punch above our weight."
BBC/Shaun JohnsonAmble has a population of just over 5,000 people and is one of the smallest towns to bid.
McTaggart believes it has a "unique offer" compared to others around the country.
"When I grew up, we only had a pizza and kebab shop but now we have so many independent businesses, our high street is incredibly vibrant and when we have empty units they don't stay empty for long," he said.
Amble Harbour Master, Garry Paxton, who only moved to the town last year, is backing the bid.
"Myself and my wife spent ages looking for a place to retire and I can think of nowhere better than Amble, it truly is a beautiful town with great people.
"We have an amazing coastline with incredibly successful independent businesses and in my opinion we have the best view in the world," he said.
Three finalists - one small, one medium and one large town - will be chosen and towns have until 31 March to enter expressions of interest.
The strongest bids will progress to a shortlist, announced in the spring, with each shortlisted town receiving £60,000 to help deliver its full bids for the competition.
The government said the winner will be announced early in 2027.
