THE official application to make Colchester a city has been unveiled.

A small group of volunteers, led by community group Destination Colchester, has drawn up a document extolling the borough’s virtues.

Later this month, it will be submitted to a competition to become the nation’s next city. It is being run as part of the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee celebrations next year.

Wendy Bailey, Destination Colchester deputy chairman, said the borough already had everything expected of a city and could only benefit from success.

She said: “Being a city would give us the advantages of raising our profile to attract businesses, visitors, entrepreneurs and small to medium-sized companies, who would want to come and enjoy what we enjoy.

“We have everything a modern city can offer in the way of entertainment, culture, history, heritage and beautiful surroundings for a family to live.

“This is just about standing up and saying Colchester is the best place to live, and deserves to be a city.”

Some have raised concerns if the bid were successful, the whole borough, including towns and villages like Wivenhoe and Dedham, would become part of Colchester city.

But Mrs Bailey insisted the rural charms surrounding Colchester were key to success.

She said: “There is nothing to fear. Nothing would change, other than we would be recognised for what we already are – Britain’s First city.

“This is the X Factor that Colchester needs to thrive in the future.” She added: “This is a community-led bid, which has not cost any money.

“Everybody is giving their time and expertise for nothing, because they value the town and want to see it win.

“I’m so excited because I think it truly reflects the fact Colchester is Britain’s first city and it should be recognised as such.”

The bid document will be rubber-stamped at Colchester Council’s meeting next Wednesday.

It will then be sent to the Office of Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg.

Colchester will find out next year if it has beaten Southend and Chelmsford in the contest to become the UK’s next city.

ROMANS GOT IT RIGHT...NOW WE WANT TO RECAPTURE OUR CROWN

COLCHESTER’S bid is centred on a belief Britain’s oldest recorded town was also its first city.

The introduction to the application says that in AD50, shortly after Camulodunum was conquered by the Romans, it was named Colonia Victricensis – city of victory – and became the administrative capital of Britain.

Although much of Colchester’s history survives in the town – the Roman chariot circus, the Norman castle and the Roman walls – it has lost its status as a city.

But the application, drawn up by professional copywriter Ben Locker, insists: “Colchester’s bid isn’t simply about recognition of its history or achievements.

“Colchester is a self-confident borough that has evolved into a modern city.”

The document highlights aspects of life in the borough which, Destination Colchester says, show why it is suitable to be a city.

For a start, Colchester’s status as the country’s fastest-growing borough shows its popularity.

The community group says along with the town’s heritage, shops and hotels make Colchester a popular tourist destination, as do green spaces like Castle Park and High Woods Country Park.

Its status is boosted by the fact it is a major garrison town and home to Essex University, where an Institute for Democracy and Conflict Resolution is to be built.

The bid also sets out the town’s prominent businesses, small and large, and the variety of voluntary groups helping residents.

Looking to the future, the St Botolph’s area is becoming a cultural quarter, which will supplement attractions such as the Mercury Theatre, Colchester Arts Centre and the new, but controversial, Firstsite arts centre.

Finally, along with Colchester United’s match days at the Weston Homes Community Stadium, major events include Colchester Free Festival and the annual carnival.

The bid concludes by saying Colchester is already evolving into a 21st century city.

It says: “Yes, we’re growing. Yes, we have an international outlook.

“Yes, we’re home to a leading university and a major garrison.

“And yes, our private sector is expanding to meet the needs of today’s economy.

“But the real reason we believe we’re a city is because we’ve started to think of ourselves as belonging to one.”

To view pages from the city bid document, click here