A NORTH-EAST town's third attempt to become a city has proved unlucky.

Middlesbrough's application to be one of five towns in the UK granted city status as part of the Queen's Golden Jubilee celebrations was turned down yesterday.

The town was beaten to the honour by Preston. City status was also awarded to Stirling, in Scotland, Newport, in Wales, and Lisburn and Newry, in Northern Ireland.

Middlesbrough's failure has come as a crushing blow to town leaders. The town lost out in 2000 when Brighton and Hove, Inverness and Wolverhampton became cities to mark the Millennium.

Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland MP Ashok Kumar said: "It's very sad and very disappointing. This town has thrived for 150 to 200 years and people from all over the world have settled here. It's got great spirit. Lesser towns than ours have had the recognition. I wish them well but we deserve it too and it's about time somebody recognised that."

Middlesbrough Council leader Ken Walker said he was disappointed - but determined that the town should not give up its bid to become a city.

"The work that went into our last bid encapsulated all the good things that are happening to Middlesbrough and our people," he said.