DETERMINED councillors made a decisive statement over plans for a formal bid to be launched to land city status for Colchester.

A strong majority of Colchester councillors voted in favour of a city status bid, with 38 saying they supported the plans and only two voting against.

If successful, it will be fifth-time lucky for the town, which was most recently scuppered by Chelmsford in 2012.

It follows the news Southend will be granted city status in a poignant tribute to Sir David Amess MP, who was fatally stabbed last Friday.

Passing the motion for a bid at Colchester Council’s full council meeting, Darius Laws, portfolio holder for economy, business and heritage, said the council should “fight for Colchester”.

“I know there is perhaps some varying levels of enthusiasm in the room on this,” said Mr Laws.

“I accept there are unanswered questions around the identities of existing communities, and some people fear they won’t be living in a village, town or borough because we were now a city.

“I think those conversations are valid and there is no plan to rebrand people who identify as living in particular communities.

“Furthermore, the costs of this application are miniscule and the benefits of going through the process are simply phenomenal.

“It’s really good profiling for Colchester.”

Mr Laws listed a number of factors as to why the town has such a strong bid, with the deadline for applications looming on December 8.

He added: “Our connections with the monarchy and the military are unrivalled in East Anglia and this is a significant factor of why we should be doing this.

“Does making a man a knight a better fighter? Yes, it does.

“This matters. Let’s fight for Colchester and let’s win this competition.”

However, Lewis Barber, Colchester councillor for Lexden and Braiswick Ward, said he is still “unconvinced” on the benefits city status could bring.

He said: “I remain unconvinced on the arguments to lose our identity which is a town surrounded by countryside and villages.

“We will lose this for a status which people who I have spoken to are clearly against, do not want, and feel we need to prioritise other matters.

“Often when support is given for city status, there is discussion about the economic benefits.

“I researched how other towns who had city status conferred on them responded economically.

“One study from the University of Reading concluded towns which became cities did not see any pattern of more investment or jobs.

“I believe bidding for city status removes an identity people feel very strongly about with no clear economic benefit.”