SOUTHAMPTON and Portsmouth will today find out whether they have been included on a shortlist to become the UK's first "city of culture".

The joint Hampshire bid is one of 13 hopefuls from across the country vying for the prestigious 2013 title.

Barnsley, Birmingham, Carlisle, Chichester and Cornwall are all competing for the accolade.

Derry, Durham, Hull, Ipswich and the Haven Gateway, Norwich, Sheffield, Southend and Swansea make up the remainder of the list.

The candidates were whittled down from 29 to 14 after several cities, which had originally expressed interest, dropped out over fears about the cost of competing.

The Government's Department for Culture, Media and Sport will this afternoon announce a whittled down shortlist of six with a winner unveiled in July.