Medway has failed in its bid to become a city.

The Cabinet Office has announced the towns in the UK which have been bestowed with the honour as part of the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Celebrations.

The three new cities will be St Asaph in Wales, Chelmsford in Essex and Perth in Scotland.

The holding of city status brings no special benefits, other than the right to be called a city.

But supporters of the bid argued a successful bid would attract inward investment and boost the profile of the area.

The Towns’ bid was the second favourite with the bookies, with Reading the overwhelming favourite.

A total of 25 places vied for the title, including Croydon, Perth, Middlesbrough and Milton Keynes.

This is Medway’s third bid for the title, having failed in 2000 and 2002.

Cllr Rodney Chambers, leader of Medway Council, said: "I would like to congratulate the three towns that have today gained city status.

"While we were, of course, hoping Medway would gain city status, we believe the bid created a huge amount of national publicity and this has helped raise our profile and show people how much this area has to offer.

"It is true to say that not only does Medway have a rich heritage, it also has a great future – its four universities, unrivalled transport links to the capital and continent and an increasingly more skilled workforce all vouch for that.

"The bid also shows that we have come such a long way since the 1980s when the naval dockyard in Chatham closed."

He said Medway today was a thriving area, with a large population and a thriving area.

He thanked all those who supported the council in its bid.

What do you think? Is it a shame Medway won't get city status? Is it time to give up? Do you care? Join the debate below.