Arts Minister Lord Parkinson has spoken of the 'excitement' that is brewing in Wrexham as the City of Culture announcement edges nearer. 

As Part of the City of Culture #Wrecsam2025 bidding process, Wrexham Council and some of the bids partners welcomed Lord Parkinson of Whitley Bay.

Lord Parkinson took a short tour of the county, including to recently shortlisted Ty Pawb, as the bid looks to build momentum ahead of the coming announcement, later this month.

READ MORE: Down to the final four - Wrexham makes shortlist to be UK City of Culture 2025

Chief Executive of WCBC Ian Bancroft said: “It’s an absolute pleasure to welcome Lord Parkinson and the DCMS team. Wrexham is an amazing place to live, work and visit, and in becoming UK City of Culture we will be able to develop our offering even further and rise together as a county."

Lord Parkinson spoke at the Racecourse Ground, the subject of a new campaign aimed at getting international football back in North Wales. 

When discussing his visit to Wrexham, Lord Parkinson said: "It's been brilliant, been really good to see the excitement there is in town and the community about being on the shortlist and that's no small achievement.

"We've had 20 places bidding to be the UK City of Culture so to be in the final four really speaks to the strength of the bid, the way it's brought people together from the businesses, to the council, cultural organisations, the football club, the university, everyone has been piling in.

READ MORE: Wrexham starts to tell its story to the world with official launch of City of Culture bid

"It's been great to see and to meet some of the people that have been sharing their ideas but also to hear, that whatever happens, it's already made a real impact in terms of those introductions, connections and friendships that it's built. That's really good to see because that is what the competition is all about."

Lord Parkinson also touched on the recent buzz within the town. He added: "I've been hearing about how there is so much going on in the town with the levelling up funding, the football team and so much more. 

The Leader: Lord Parkinson at the Racecourse.Lord Parkinson at the Racecourse.

"We really need that as we're emerging from the pandemic, when people have been cooped up in their houses, unable to get out and about. 

"It's so important to get people back on the high streets, there are so many things on offer for people to explore and I hope being part of this competition is encouraging people to get out there to try new things and to create more excitement and potential around the town."