BOURNEMOUTH'S bid for city status included photographs of Christchurch and Poole.

Details on the town's application have come to light following a resident's Freedom of Information request.

Alex McKinstry obtained a copy of Bournemouth's city status bid in the Platinum Jubilee civic honours competition.

He made similar requests to other entrants, with mixed success.

However, BCP Council released its application, which was submitted to the Cabinet Office on December 8, 2021.

The 51-page document makes numerous references to both Bournemouth and Poole.

The application required the local authority to submit up to 50 photographs of "permanent features of the area".

A total of 47 photographs were included in the Bournemouth application, but three of these were locations in of Christchurch – The Priory, Christchurch Castle and Bournemouth Airport – and four were sites in Poole – Poole Lighthouse, Old Town in Market Street, Port of Poole and Poole Quay.

Bournemouth Echo: The Priory in ChristchurchThe Priory in Christchurch

Summarising why Bournemouth should be made a city, the application said: "Bournemouth deserves and desires city status, not just in recognition of its position and accomplishments to date, but also as a springboard to help it to achieve its bold, confident and proud ambitions for the future.

"Over just two centuries, Bournemouth has evolved from empty heathland into the largest, most vibrant, economically and culturally diverse town, not only in Dorset, but along the 100-mile coastline from Southampton to Exeter. And not only is there no other city in Dorset – there are none along the entirety of that shore.

"It is time for Bournemouth to be honoured with city status to mark The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee and bring overdue recognition to this thriving centre of coastal England."

The proposed Bournemouth city status area does not include the parish of Throop and Holdenhurst, the application document shows.

Bournemouth Echo: An image of Bournemouth Airport at is included despite the site being outside the city status application area. Picture: Stephen BathAn image of Bournemouth Airport at is included despite the site being outside the city status application area. Picture: Stephen Bath

The final decision is due to be taken in spring and announced shortly afterwards as part of The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations.

Thirty-eight locations across the country have entered the competition.