With Derry~Londonderry submitting its final bid to the City of Culture panel tomorrow - Snow Patrol's message to the judges is clear. Just say yes to Derry~Londonderry's bid.

Snow Patrol's front man Gary Lightbody was born in Bangor, Northern Ireland and his family are from Derry. The band's backing has given an extra boost to the City's campaign which has already gathered support from of thousands of people throughout Northern Ireland and the UK.

Gary Lightbody said, "Derry~Londonderry is a vibrant, warm and creative city and its cultural life has always thrived. Being shortlisted for UK City of Culture in 2013 confirms what many of us have known all along; that culture is at Derry~Londonderry's heart. The city has an exciting future ahead and I can't think of anywhere that deserves to win this accolade more."

Describing Derry~Londonderry's lively cultural history, Gary added, "Derry has, a number of times, set the standard for the arts in Northern Ireland. The Undertones wrote apolitical anthems for the youth of Ireland at a time when we needed an escape from politics and religion the most. The Nerve Centre was in Derry and highly functional and creative long before we set up the Oh Yeah Centre in Belfast. It was the inspiration for us when we were setting the centre up."

Gary added, "I think Derry~Londonderry's best characteristics are its people. They are funny and warm, and I'm not just saying that because I'm related to half of them. Good luck Derry~Londonderry. You should win."

Derry~Londonderry's bid already has the support of a number of film stars, artists, musicians and writers with cultural, ancestral or personal connections with the City, including the poets Seamus Heaney and Seamus Deane; actors James Nesbitt, Gabriel Byrne, Brendon Gleason and Bronagh Gallagher; TV presenter Anne Robinson; and Manchester United star Darron Gibson.

Derry~Londonderry was shortlisted for UK City of Culture in February 2010 along with three other cities - Birmingham, Norwich and Sheffield. Each city will submit its final bid to the Department for Culture, Media and Sport on May 21st. The winner will be announced in July 2010.

For more information or to register your support for the bid visit www.cityofculture2013.com or checkout Derry~Londonderry's ‘CityofCulture2013' Facebook page by clicking here.