AN MP has called for a prize which would give towns national recognition for their culture and heritage ... with Colchester being a potential contender.

Labour MP Yvette Cooper wants to establish an annual Town of Culture award.

There is already a similar competition for cities but in an open letter to Jeremy Wright, Secretary of State for Culture, Ms Cooper said she wanted towns to have the same opportunity

The letter said: “Towns already lose out from national arts and culture investment.

“Arts Council funding is more than four times higher on average in city constituencies than it is in town constituencies.

“In addition towns are facing growing economic challenges compared to cities, so losing out on arts and culture investment and jobs is even more of a problem.

“A Town of Culture award would generate new investment, footfall and national recognition for the towns involved, and it would provide the opportunity for communities to be creative, ambitious and to celebrate the best of their local area.

“But perhaps most important of all, the award process would mean national funding organisations such as the Arts Council and the Heritage Lottery Fund, or private sector organisations would be required to focus particularly on towns.”

The Observer also published the letter online, quoting Colchester as a potential contender.

Tim Young (Lab), Colchester councillor responsible for culture, welcomed the open letter and said arts funding in Colchester will not be slashed any further after 2020.

Between 2018 and 2020, Colchester Council’s core arts grants for Firstsite, Colchester Arts Centre and Mercury Theatre will have totalled £677,000 - a reduction of £100,000 from 2016/18.

The cuts were made as the council tightened its belt due to a drop in central government funding but Mr Young said these cuts would be frozen after 2020.

He added: “My intention is the reduction in funding will be frozen after this as it’s about protecting arts funding. “We have got so much going on in Colchester at the moment, I was delighted to see Colchester was one of three suggestions in that Observer article.

“I think Yvette Cooper is on to something. We are not planning to reduce arts funding any more. I have sent this article to the Mercury Theatre and they are keen to write a letter with me to Yvette Cooper, inviting her to come down and visit.”

Councillor Martin Goss also showed support for the Town of Culture idea.

He said: “I am very supportive of this call for towns to be given the same chances as cities who can apply to be awarded City of Culture status. “Examples of where cities have been awarded this status has shown significant inward investment, increased tourism figures and overall an increase in prosperity and jobs.

“Colchester is uniquely placed to apply for Town of Culture with the status of both being the oldest recorded town and also Britain’s first city. It has a fantastic diverse culture and some first class facilities.

"This can only be positive. I will be pushing hard for this award to be created by government and ensure Colchester puts in a strong submission.”

Arts Council England has pledged more than £1.6million of funding to Colchester’s Firstsite gallery.

In 2015 and 2016, the council was able to provide substantial additional funding for the arts amounting to £150,000, and has also committed £1million of New Homes Bonus money to support the Mercury’s plans for expansion.