Our global profile for cultural excellence, combined with exciting plans for 2008, will help Oxford attract more visitors to the UK than any other city in the competition."Odds: 5/1 The rejected bids Probably the most ambitious and stylish website of all the bids; Belfast should also win some kind of award for the portentous - not to say pretentious - style of its bid document.

Sample quote: "History and tradition, legend and myth, giants and little people; we will make Belfast the meeting place of Europe's legends where the meaning of history and belief find a home and a sanctuary from caricature, parody and oblivion." Reaction: The city's Lord Mayor Alex Maskey, a Sinn Féin politician, voiced dismay but urged all those behind the bid to press ahead.

a capital representing the new, enlarged Europe." Promises to be: "an exemplary UK city - staging, hosting and supporting the creation of the very best of UK culture and presenting it to an international audience."Reaction: Welsh first minister Rhodri Morgan said: "Cardiff will represent the other Celtic parts and with Belfast out of the running Cardiff is definitely the only capital city in the running...

We are the only city that is backed by a whole country."Odds: 6/1 "Liverpool is a city of the world and a world in one city," declares bid chief executive Sir Bob Scott.

"It's crucial that we do not lose sight of the huge positive outcomes of this bidding process.

Culture has been put to the top of people's agendas and it has a huge amount to offer us by improving the quality of life." Not even a launch by pop idol Gareth Gates could persuade the government to shortlist Bradford's attempt to become capital of culture.

"Reaction: The city's campaign director Paul Brookes said: "Everyone in Bradford is obviously deeply disappointed that we did not make the shortlist, but the work doesn't end here. The bidding process has brought the community together and has helped everyone in Bradford to focus on improvements they would like to see in their district." The website cleverly compliments the city's paper application by attempting to turn Brighton into a "live" bid, running a series of events, performances and artwork throughout 2002 designed to showcase its cultural assets. We've had a fantastic year as a result of the bidding process. Involved." Its theme: odyssey ("journeys, pilgrimages, travel and voyages of all kinds - physical, intellectual and spiritual").

It brought huge benefits in enabling us to market the city when international visitors were falling because of September 11." Canterbury The city which claims to be the "most European part of Britain." Its slogan: "Inspired. Its ambition: a bright future - "In 2008 the skies and streets will be ablaze with light as this historic city and the surrounding region reflects a new focus on the future." Reaction: Canterbury council leader Alex Perkins said: "We're obviously disappointed but we learnt so much from the bid and that's the important thing.

Bristol is a "model for all cities in the third millennium," it boasts. "It is the one bid to celebrate, develop and promote culture and cultural activity as well as see it as part of city development and an investment in the creation of a good society for all." Reaction: Diane Bunyan, leader of Bristol city council, said: "Our bid is of the highest quality and congratulations are due to everyone across the city who contributed their ideas and enthusiasm and gave it their support." Odds: 6/1 Claims to have: "a unique position as the capital city of a bilingual and multilingual nation...

It also plays up its grassroots approach, proudly proclaiming that it is "not a metropolitan centre that will import large cultural events to replicate or outshine previous holders of the title." Selling point?

"Our bid is unique." Reaction: Inverness councillor David Green said: "I am very disappointed that we have not been shortlisted.

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