'Incredible' response to Grimsby culture bid event

There was an "incredible" response to an event gathering ideas for Grimsby's bid to host UK Town of Culture in 2028, according to organisers.

The event, called Grimsby: A Place We Call Home, saw Grimsby Minster divided into the rooms of a house where visitors were asked about what they wanted to see celebrated as part of the arts festival.

Organiser Katie-Lou Green said the "response has been incredible".

"From the moment the doors opened, people embraced the opportunity to share their stories, ideas and hopes for Grimsby's future," she said.

Grimsby has reached the final shortlist of four large towns, alongside Basildon, Birkenhead and Rotherham.

The bid has to be submitted by 30 November.

The winner will receive £3m for a six-month cultural programme in 2028, while two runners-up will receive £250,000 each.

Also attending the event was the town's Labour MP Melanie Onn, who said it was a chance to "develop and deepen" the bid proposal.

"It's no mean feat getting through to the final 15, so being shortlisted is absolutely amazing," she said.

"We've got a really clear plan. The reason why we were shortlisted is because the plan that we'd put together of the things that we had ambition for, the town and for Town of Culture really resonated with the judges."

Louise Osbourne, who attended the event with her husband Tony, said: "I've worked in education for a lot of my life and I think the bid would be fantastic to show our young people that Grimsby isn't as bad as it gets portrayed.

"That actually in Grimsby there is a lot of good people, there is a lot to see and a lot to do and to bring that sense of community back that was here when the fishing industry was on would be brilliant."

Listen to highlights fromLincolnshire on BBC Sounds, watch thelatest episode of Look North.

Download the BBC News app from the App Storefor iPhone and iPad orGoogle Play for Android devices