COVENTRY has been named the UK's City of Culture for 2021.

Warrington missed out on a place on the shortlist back in the summer after it had ambitions to host the year-long event.

The Midlands city was announced as the winning bid on Thursday, beating fellow shortlisted places Swansea, Stoke, Paisley and Sunderland.

It takes over from Hull which held the title this year.

Coventry's bid includes a Streets of Culture initiative - co-producing work in local communities, a major new lighting commission for Coventry Cathedral, and a "build-up" Shop Front Theatre Festival in March 2018.

Major productions by the Warwickshire-based Royal Shakespeare Company will also feature, along with an artist-led festival called Moments of Silence.

Coventry's Council Leader George Duggins said: "I am delighted we have been named UK City of Culture 2021 - it's the Christmas present we were all hoping for and it means so much for our city.

"We knew we had put together a very strong bid, but we were up against some excellent competition and I'd like to thank and congratulate all those who have helped to show what a wonderful City of Culture we will be.

"Since we announced our intention to bid, we have seen the incredible effect it has had, with a staggering variety of events and exhibitions that have brought people together and breathed new life into our city.

"I can only imagine what's to come over the next four years as we build on that."

Cllr Duggins added: "Coventry is a vibrant, multicultural city with a fascinating and inspiring story to tell and an arts and cultural scene that deserves its place in the national spotlight.

"There is still a lot of hard work ahead, but as UK City of Culture 2021 we will be able to show everyone why we are so proud of our city and the people who live, work and study here and build something lasting for our children and grandchildren to enjoy."

Nick Eastwood, chief executive of Wasps RFC, which moved to Coventry's Ricoh Arena in 2014, said: "We are absolutely thrilled that the city has won this massive and prestigious title.

"We will do everything we possibly can from now until 2021 to help prepare for what should be a historic 12 months in the city's history."

Coventry University and Warwick University lent their backing to the winning bid as principal partners of the city council.

Stuart Croft, vice chancellor at Warwick, said: "As a community in this great city we have worked together as never before to achieve this exceptional result. I am very proud of the part that the University of Warwick has played in this."

The elected mayor of the West Midlands, Andy Street, asserted that the success had sent a clear message that the region was working together as a team.

"This is a chance to help people realise that the city has so much to offer, from its medieval past to its modernist architecture, creative talent and diverse youth," Mr Street said.