WREXHAM MP Ian Lucas has welcomed the announcement of a competition for City Status as part of the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee celebrations in 2012.

And he believes Wrexham stands a ‘strong chance’ of securing city status as part of the forthcoming nationwide competition.

He has called for cross-party support for a campaign to secure the status for the town when the competition is launched earlier this year.

The plans for a nationwide competition were unveiled yesterday as part of a series of measures designed to mark the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee.

Other measures to be unveiled include a one-off Bank Holiday weekend in June 2012 and a Diamond Jubilee medal.

Further details about all these developments, including the city status competition, are to be released in the coming months.

Mr Lucas said: “I am excited about all the plans and I really believe Wrexham has a strong chance for a city status bid.

“Making such a bid would be a real boost to the town’s reputation and status and a major boost to the town’s economy.

“Wrexham has come a long way in the past decade and its profile is even higher than when the town bid for city status.

“Wrexham securing its status as a Welsh city would be a real boost for North Wales as a whole.

“I want to hear as many people's views as possible on the matter in the coming months.”