Powys has missed out on on its bid to reach the longlist for the UK City of Culture 2025.

After bidding to host a year of cultural festivities for 2025, the county was not chosen as one of just eight places from across the UK which will now move on to the next stage of the application.

Any local authority can bid for the prestigious prize, meaning despite not being home to a city, Powys qualified for the title as a region that is home to rich diversity of culture.

Wrexham is the only Welsh region to make it through to the next round of the bid.

Cllr Myfanwy Alexander, Powys council cabinet member and bid director, said: “Of course this news is not what we would have hoped it to be but the process of submitting our bid has been incredibly valuable, highlighting the wealth of talent and depth of heritage we have here in Powys.

“Creativity is a key part of our future and we are actively seeking many ways of sharing that brilliance with the wider world.”

Cllr Rachel Powell, cabinet member for culture and leisure, added: “Although clearly disappointed, this has been a great opportunity to focus and reflect on the richness and uniqueness of all that is offered in this beautiful county.

“The arts and culture, in whatever form that takes, within Powys, has so much to celebrate and with the achievement of even being considered, has provided that much-needed boost in remembering how fortunate we are.”

A final shortlist will be confirmed in early 2022 ahead of the winner being announced in May 2022.

You can find out more about the Powys bid by visiting www.powys.gov.uk/cityofculture