Canary Wharf. Picture: Oliver Mallich

Tower Hamlets Council will bid for city status as part of the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee celebrations in 2012.

The borough will compete with Middlesbrough, Blackpool and Reading for the honour.

City Status comes with no special rights or privileges, however Mayor Lutfur Rahmen believes the accolade would benefit the area, putting Tower Hamlets on the map as a vibrant and exciting place to live, work and visit.

He said: “I feel being a city would be a fantastic boost to the borough and really show what we have to offer.

“We are unique in that we have a thriving business and shopping district in Canary Wharf, an innovative arts scene, a first-rate university on our doorstep in Queen Mary, and a vibrant community spirit, which has embraced different groups of people throughout our history.”

“The royal wedding celebrations which I attended were testament to the genuine community spirit that exists in the borough and there is a real appetite to build on this pride and let everyone know what an amazing place Tower Hamlets is. I hope residents will support our bid to become a city.”

The campaign is being backed by The Canary Wharf Group, which is  set to match the council’s £10,000 contribution towards the bid. There has also been support  from local businesses and community groups.

Residents can help by submitting images of the borough which illustrate what is unique about Tower Hamlets.

Images can be entered here until the deadline May 20th.

The Mayor will select the images for the bid and the winner of the competition, the first since 2002, will be announced early next year.