A regional daily is backing its patch’s bid to be named UK City of Culture by launching a new magazine.

The Sentinel has lent its support to Stoke-on-Trent’s bid for the title in 2021.

Ten other places are hoping to claim the crown – including Coventry, Paisley, Portsmouth, Swansea and Sunderland.

Competition also comes from St Davids – the smallest city in Britain – as well as Hereford, Perth, Warrington and Wells.

As part of its backing, The Sentinel has launched a new magazine called The Place 2 Be, which will be distributed at public buildings across Stoke, and a new channel on its website.

Sentinel Editor Martin Tideswell said: “Whether or not the bid is successful we believe that auditing our cultural inventory and creating a positive narrative about our city is a ‘win-win’.

“Staging good quality public events, promoting brilliant local businesses and terrific entertainment venues or world-class museum collections and exhibits can only be positive and nurture a sense of pride in our patch.”

“We are extremely proud of the Potteries and its people. Like any city, Stoke-on-Trent has its challenges, but we believe it is a great place in which to live, work and invest and The Place 2 Be reflects this.”