Paisley is 7/1 inUK culture title race

Paisley is among the favourites to land the title of UK City of Culture for 2021, according to bookmakers.

McBookie.com is making Paisley 7/1 to scoop the prize, behind only Coventry and the other Scottish entrant Perth.

The winner will get a £ 3 million injection of Lottery funding but can also expect to draw in investment, publicity and major events worth millions more.

A £4 million refurbishment of the town centre is already underway and there is also set to be an overhaul for the museum, which charts the rich local history of weaving that produced the eponymous pattern.

McBookie spokesman Paul Petrie said: “The judges have shown in the past that they like to build on progress that’s already there rather than start with a blank sheet of paper.

“And that’s why Paisley stands a great chance.

“The Paisley pattern is a great hook for the campaign because that’s something that’s recognisable across the planet.

“And Paolo Nutini, one of the biggest names in UK contemporary music, could prove to be a persuasive ambassador, particularly as he’s such a down- to- earth guy with genuine roots still in the town.

“Paisley has made such great strides in shaking off the loss of heavy industry in the past and anyone that’s been there lately will have felt the spark of a place that’s blooming all over again.”

Coventry is 5/2 to take the accolade for 2021 while other contenders include Stoke-onTrent, Portsmouth, Swansea and Britain’s two tiniest cities – St David’s in Pembrokeshire and Wells in Somerset.

Perth is second favourite at 11/4.