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Now, Durham and Carlisle are cities that I enjoy filming in.

But the question is - are either of them

Both fancy their chances and have submitted early bids to become the UK's city of culture in 2013.

It's the domestic equivalent of the beat Newcastle and Gateshead too (I can't bring myself to call it ) - like winning the FA Cup instead of the Champions League, I suppose.

At stake is loads of kudos, and the chance to host events such as the and the .

This week the is looking at the two contenders in the patch.

Carlisle's bid appears .

Critics say it has no hope as it has .

Instead their main venue - - doubles as a sports hall. Nice and flexible perhaps, but maybe not the venue Brits winners are used to.

(I'm just imagining the notice going up - "Sorry all five-a-side is cancelled on Friday because of the Baftas.")

might just bring the theatre the city craves.

. And for the most part, .

But .

Bids from the likes of , and might not sound too intimidating (not to mention one for the whole !?).

But big hitters such as , and are also competing.

And so the make unhappy reading - Durham 25 -1, Carlisle 33-1.

And although there are no detailed figures for how much the bids will cost, they'll certainly run into tens if not hundreds of thousands of pounds so they represent a gamble.

Then again most wouldn't have bet on Liverpool winning the European crown.

And perhaps if this prize is to mean anything it should go to somewhere like Durham or Carlisle where it might make more difference than in the big cities.

Let me know what you think.

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