Oxford has joined the race to become the European Capital of Culture in 2008.

Each year a different country is given the honour of choosing a city as Capital of Culture.

Oxford will be competing against Bradford, Liverpool, Birmingham, Bristol and a joint bid from Newcastle and Gateshead, for the right to represent Britain in seven years time.

At a city council leisure services committee meeting, at Oxford Town Hall, the co-ordinator for the Oxford bid, Joe Simpson, said Oxford had a strong chance of success.

He said: "We have some great cultural assets here and must make the most of them in the bid, as well as paint a picture of what life will be like in 2008."

All bids must be submitted before the end of March 2002.

Oxford already has support and financial backing from the University of Oxford, Oxford Brookes University, the city and county councils and Southern Arts.

Mr Simpson said: "I would like to see all the communities of Oxford incorporated into the bid. The international flavour of the people needs to be reflected."

At yesterday's meeting, Cllr Bob Hoyle suggested: "If Newcastle and Gateshead can put a joint bid in, why couldn't we put one in with Cambridge to create a complete tourist attraction?"

Mr Simpson said would not be practical since the county council was involved.

Cllr Pat Stannard asked how Oxford would compete with the larger cities, such as Liv erpool and Newcastle, which had bigger budgets.

Mr Simpson replied Oxford's current strengths made up for a smaller budget.

He said the city would mount a serious challenge to the other bidders.