Coventry named as UK's city of culture for 2021

Announcement made in Hull, the current host

The competition is held every four years, with Derry-Londonderry the first winner in 2013 (PA)

Coventry has been named as the next UK City of Culture in 2021, beating competition from Swansea, Stoke-on-Trent, Sunderland and Paisley.

The announcement was made in Hull - the current UK City of Culture, which is nearing the end of its year-long celebration.

The competition is held every four years, with Derry-Londonderry named as the first winner in 2013.

Emma Harrabin and Justine Themen, from the Coventry bid delegation at the announcement in Hull, admitted they were surprised by the announcement as they had not dared to think they might win.

Ms Harrabin said: "We really felt on this whole journey that the city was with us.

"We've been inundated with messages of support on social media. It's just been such a wonderful way for the city to come together and celebrate what it has to offer."

She said: "We knew that we had done absolutely everything we could and we were happy with what we'd delivered."

Ms Harrabin said the Coventry team have learned a lot from the success of Hull 2017.

She added: "We've been up a couple of times and the thing that you can absolutely feel is the fact that the city of culture has touched everybody.

"You walk down the street and people are talking about it, the volunteers are unbelievable and, walking around today with our badges and our t-shirts and stuff, they know what winning the title means.

"You can see the impact it's had on the city."

Standing in front of The Deep, in Hull, Ms Themen said she was also impressed with Hull's year.

She said: "I came to the city three ago. To have been back since then and to have seen it grow and develop in such a short space of time, it's extraordinary. So were really optimistic about what we can do in Coventry."

Ms Themen said: "We're absolutely delighted. We really feel that it's a testament to the work of the whole city - artists pulling together, the voluntary sector organisations, the communities, business and of course the cultural organisations.

And asked about what was the main factor which sealed it for Coventry, she said: "I think it's our diversity.

"It's one of the most diverse cities in the UK and therefore reflective of the diversity of the UK overall. And we hope we can really demonstrates how key culture can be in building bridges across difference."

Ms Themen said: "There's nothing more exciting than what culture has to offer communities."

Despite being pelted by bombs during World War II, the city has managed to sustain a rich cultural heritage.

Claims to fame include being the place where the jet engine was invented; the centre of the motoring industry, and the location of world-famous watch manufacturers Rotherham & Sons.

Famous sons and daughters include the poet Philip Larkin, author Lee Child, The Specials, and pioneering musician Delia Derbyshire, best-known for creating the Doctor Who theme tune.