The X Factor finalist, Amelia Lily, has become the latest name to lend their support to the ‘Love Middlesbrough’ council-led campaign to promote the town.
The young starlet has joined the ‘Ambassador Club’, a group of notable local people who are adding their weight to the initiative. Members who already signed up include comedian Patrick Monahan, opera singer Suzannah Clark and BBC presenter Steph McGovern.
The campaign was established to promote Middlesbrough as an excellent place to live, work and play, in support of the vibrant town’s bid for city status in 2012.
Towns can apply for city status on an annual basis although two opportunities to bid were announced in 2011, the second to mark the Diamond Jubilee of Elizabeth II.
Middlesbrough has unsuccessfully applied for city status twice before in 2000 and 2002. This time however, the bid has placed more emphasis on the support of the local community and wider Teesside area. Hundreds of school children have also lent their support to the campaign by writing to the Queen explaining why they believe their town should become a city.
There is tough competition for this year’s award, but there is an unyielding belief that the town has made its strongest bid to date. Local MP, Sir Stuart Bell, points out the significant improvements to the town’s facilities in recent years, which include the development of Teesside University and the extensive new facilities at the James Cook University Hospital.
Middlesbrough expects to find out if their latest city status bid has been successful in the first half of 2012.