The city of Londonderry in Northern Ireland has been named the UK's first City of Culture.

Londonderry beat off competition from the three other finalists - Birmingham, Norwich and Sheffield.

According to the judging panel, the city was chosen due to its "strong cultural programme" and the way it draws on the city's past.

In a statement, the panel added that the decision was also made in recognition of "the passion and commitment of the city and its supporters and the strong evidence of engagement across all parties and communities in the city - and the potential step changes which they envisage.

The announcement was made at an event in Liverpool last night (15 July) by minister for culture, Ed Vaizey and Phil Redmond CBE.

Mayor of Londonderry, Colum Eastwood, said that the city's success will have a massive impact on the people and economy of the city and paid tribute to everyone who played a part in the winning campaign.

"I am privileged to be in a position where I have had an insight into the massive amount of work that has gone into this successful bid. I would like to take this opportunity to thank all the agencies, organisations and individuals from our cultural champions to our citizens who have helped with the bid."

There are four core programmes within the city's 2013 programme which aim to deliver significant change: Unlocking Creativity focusing on children and young people; Digital Dialogue as the UK Digital Cultural Champion; Creative Connections offering an international cultural programme of events; and Telling a New Story which will create a cultural platform to explore issues of identity.

Phil Redmond, chair of the independent advisory panel, said: "We were looking for the UK's City of Culture and the challenge was therefore a cultural one: how would the candidate cities present themselves through the written word and oral presentation.

"This same challenge posed to all cities brought as varied responses as the cities themselves, but the panel was unanimous in its choice of Londonderry."

"The programme suggested was impressive, as were the plans for community engagement, economic investment and the development of digital technology. It was also the way all these elements had been woven together through a strong and compelling narrative about the City and its people.

"And if culture cannot be used to help promote harmony, tolerance, hope and aspiration; if it cannot be used to help people understand their past, inform their present and help shape their future - then what role does it have?"

The concept of a UK City of Culture was inspired by Liverpool's success as European Capital of Culture in 2008.

For some, Londonderry's win came as a surprise. Norwich City Council (NCC) - a driving force behind the city's bid that failed at the last hurdle - has already made it clear that it will go ahead with its planned programme of cultural activities despite losing out on the title.

In a statement released immediately after the winner was revealed, the NCC said: "Norwich is already a city of culture.

"Despite the disappointment of not being named UK City of Culture 2013, the national competition has delivered huge benefits and will be used to market the city as an attractive place to live, set up businesses and visit."

Jonathan Holloway, director of the Norfolk & Norwich Festival, added: "Armed with a set of extraordinary ideas, partnerships, collective vision, public energy and political will, we have everything but the name, UK City of Culture 2013."

IMAGE: The Waterside Theatre in Londonderry is expected to play a role during 2013