Both of Reading's MPs have reacted to the town failing to win city status.

Each Jubilee year, a number of new cities are 'made' by being given Royal Charters from the Cabinet Office.

Reading has once again failed to be granted city status as part of the Queen's Platinum Jubilee celebrations.

BREAKING: Disappointment as Reading fails to get city status

Now, Reading's MPs have reacted, both expressing disappointment that it was not named a city this year.

Matt Rodda, the Labour MP for Reading East, said: “I want to congratulate those new cities who have been successful.

"I am, of course, disappointed that Reading was not one of them but I am absolutely clear that whether Town, Borough or City – Reading remains the greatest place to live, work and raise a family.

"We have a rich history, a diverse culture and a bright future. I am incredibly proud of the place that is my home, the people who live here and I know we have so much to look forward to. I also want to take a moment to thank everyone who worked on Reading’s bid.”

Meanwhile, Alok Sharma, the Conservative MP for Reading West, said: "I am disappointed that the Reading bid for city status was not successful.

"However, this does not change the fact that Reading is an extremely vibrant place to live and work with much to offer, including as an economic powerhouse.

"The opening of Crossrail and its connection to Reading just underlines the growing status of our home town."

READ MORE: How your MP voted on attempt to impose windfall tax on energy companies

Reading was beaten in the city status contest by Colchester in Essex, Doncaster in South Yorkshire, and Milton Keynes in Buckinghamshire, all in England.

Elsewhere in the UK, Dumferline was made a city in Scotland, Bangor was made a city in Northern Island, and Wrexham in Wales also achieved city status.

Additionally, the town of Douglas in the Isle of Man and Stanley in the Faulkland Islands were both made cities as well.

Reading has failed in all attempts to become a city, in the special contest to mark the Millennium in 2000, the Gold Jubilee in 2002 and the Diamond Jubilee in 2012.

The town's city status bid was submitted in November last year, with councillors agreeing to go ahead with it in an earlier council meeting on Tuesday, October 19, 2021.

All Labour, Conservative, and Green Party councillors present voted for the bid to go ahead.

Only Liberal Democrat councillors Ricky Duveen and Meri O’Connell abstained during the vote.

Reading remains the largest town in the UK by population, with its wider urban area, which includes the suburbs of Earley and Woodley, home to around 230,000 people.

The area controlled by Reading Borough has an estimated 161,780 residents according to the Office of National Statistics in 2019.