DURHAM’S bid to be UK City of Culture 2013 has received the backing of more than 10,000 people.

Supporters signed up to support the bid at agricultural and summer shows, fun and family events and student gatherings during the summer.

Thousands more returned Back the Bid postcards, hundreds wrote their names on an art gallery wall and others have signed up online, through the bid website, Facebook and Twitter.

At the last count, the number of backers was 11,328, with a further 700 people backing the bid on Twitter. Seventy letters of support had been received from organisations and individuals.

“Hitting that 10,000 milestone is a tremendous boost to the campaign,”

said Melanie Sensicle, chief executive of Visit County Durham and creative lead for the bid.

“What we’d like now is for thousands more to get online or fill in a postcard to back the bid so that the total rockets even further.”

Anyone wanting to add their support can go to durhamcityofculture.co.uk