CHESHIRE East Council says it will support Crewe's city-status bid.

Crewe Town Council has revealed it is set to throw its hat into the ring of a competition launched to mark the Queen's Platinum Jubilee, with three new cities set to be designated in 2022.

Now the borough council says it will help the bid and claims it demonstrates the "sheer weight of the ambition" locally.

Cllr Nick Mannion, chair of Cheshire East Council's economy and growth committee, says it chimes with the ongoing work "to carve out a new chapter for Crewe.....and to secure the town's long-term economic growth".

"Looking at just the past few months' achievements, we have seen the highly successful reopening of the Market Hall and a total of £37 million of government investment is now allocated to Crewe through the Towns Fund and Future High Streets Fund," said Cllr Mannion.

"The town council's bid for city status illustrates the sheer weight of the ambition to ensure the town's revitalisation and recognises the strategic importance of Crewe both locally and nationally."

The council was allocated up to £14.1m of government cash as part of the Future High Streets Fund and Crewe has also secured a Town Deal with a separate allocation of £22.9m.

The money will be used to deliver two packages of projects that will support the town's ongoing regeneration.

Recently, the borough council has been asked to bid for Crewe to be chosen as the location of the national headquarters of the new public body Great British Railways.