The race to be the UK’s first ‘Town of Culture’

More towns in Leicestershire are planning bids to be named the UK's first-ever Town of Culture. The government has invited towns to enter the new competition, which will run alongside the existing UK City of Culture contest, which was won by Bradford in 2025.

Hinckley and Melton are set to join Coalville and Ashby-de-la-Zouch in entering the contest to win the title in 2028.

The winner will be awarded a £3m prize, with two runners-up receiving £250,000 each.

BBC Leicester’s Ady Dayman has been looking into what a town needs to do to win. He’s been finding out what each Leicestershire town has to offer, starting with Melton Borough Council leader Pip Allnatt telling him why his town should win.