A BID by Ipswich to become Britain’s City of Culture in 2013 has been unsuccessful.

The town - along with the countryside around the “Haven Gateway” was one of 14 nominees for the accolade which will be decided by the Department of Culture, Media and Sport.

However it did not make it on to the shortlist of four - Birmingham, Sheffield, Derry in Northern Ireland . . . and Norwich.

The news came as a disappointment to borough councillor with responsibility for culture Judy Terry.

She said: “We thought we had put a very good case together but it does seem as if the judges were looking for larger cities this time.

“It is early days to say whether we would apply again, but we shall have to look at what the panel say about our bid and think about it.”

Mrs Terry said there was still much for the town to be proud of.

“We have won awards for our museums service and for the IP-Art festival which is becoming one of the major events on the cultural calendar of the whole region.

“We really must not be too down-hearted about this.”

For this application the town linked up with other members of the Haven Ports consortium to put in a bid based on the cultural heritage of the area including the ports of Felixstowe and Harwich and Constable Country.

“Maybe a future bid would be better to be more focused on Ipswich itself,” said Mrs Terry.

Culture minister Margaret Hodge said: “I was very impressed with all fourteen bids.

“For those not shortlisted, I would say take heart from what you’ve achieved and continue to work on creating a cultural offer which can be enjoyed by all and which will help to make your cities even more attractive places in which to live and work”.

Britain is set to have another City of Culture in 2017 and Ipswich could bid again then.