CLWYD South MP Simon Baynes has praised Wrexham's efforts after it came close to being named UK City of Culture.

The Wrexham bid was pipped to the post by Bradford, which was named City of Culture for 2025 by Nadines Dorries MP, who was responsible for the decision.

The announcement was made live on Tuesday night on BBC One's The One Show by Ms Dorries, who is Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport

Mr Baynes said he felt Wrexham had put together an 'impressive' bid that saw they come second.

He added: "Congratulations to Bradford which has been named UK City of Culture 2025.

"We are all very proud of the massive achievement by Wrexham County Borough Council in putting together such an impressive bid which was much praised by the judges.

"It’s a great credit to Wrexham to come runner-up and very good news that the county will receive £125,000 from the UK Government (the first time this has happened in the competition) to support the bidding team in taking forward some of the most exciting elements of the bid.”