Four cities - Birmingham, Derry/Londonderry, Norwich and Sheffield - have been confirmed as the shortlisted bidders to be named as the inaugural UK City of Culture in 2013.

A total of 14 candidates had put themselves forward as part of a Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS)-led contest before the four shortlisted bidders were recommended by an independent judging panel.

The government plans to provide feedback to all cities on their initial bids by the end of February. Full and final guidance for shortlisted cities is also set to be published, with a deadline for final documentation to be submitted by the end of May.

Culture minister Margaret Hodge said: "Huge congratulations to the four cities in the final running for the 2013 UK City of Culture. It's a testament to their hard work - and dedication to culture - that they've come so far in what has proven to be a very tough competition."

Phil Redmond, chair of the independent judging panel, added: "The panel had both a stimulating but difficult task in suggesting the shortlist as all 14 bidders had realised impact of becoming the UK's first City of Culture and what that would bring, not least the media exposure that would accompany it."

Image: Birmingham is one of the four shortlisted candidates