It's all over

And no; we cant call ourselves what we like...

That's it folks. We didnt win City Status.

The sponsored stationary and dust carts can now be pulped and wheeled back into the litter closets and us 'twits' can remove the logo; and we can continue along our merry way as five major towns and associated villages.

Whilst it is beholden on me to congratulate the winners they are I might add a very odd selection indeed.

St Asaph in North Wales has a population of about 4,000 - about half the size of Hoo Peninsula and smaller than Chatham Central ward. Look below to find out more. Chelmsford is an interesting choice but I cant recall any major campaign effort for the new city; as it was most pundits had put them way down the list. Perth had put in a worthy bid and was expected to do well.

Not the winning bid vid...

Im not bitter at all. And on a serious note; we did deserve to win - a lot of people worked very hard and put together a very very strong pitch.

So why did we, including all the bookies, get it all wrong? I do not know; its all a bit odd. This process is even more secretive then the Medway Tunnel purchase...

Still if St Asaph can win it with only 4,000 it does raise the question; could Rochester return for a bid. After all Perth lost there own city status apparently too... only to win it back

I understand from sources the Medway Lib Dems are sipping the bubbly this evening; not only did Cleggers do well at PMQs today but they have something to celebrate today, with the culmination of their superb campaign efforts.

Ooo a hay ball...