GARETH PRICE looks back through the archives to track the story of Newport's bid to become a city.

December 18, 2000 Disappointment clouds the town as Newport's previous millennium bid for city status fails. The announcement triggered the start of the next competition, after Welsh Secretary Paul Murphy, unhappy that no Welsh town had been city-fied, secured a promise that each of the home nations would have a new city to celebrate the Queen's golden jubilee in 2002.

July 25, 2001 Downing Street officially launches the competition for city status in 2002, confirming that one Welsh town will be made a city.

August 2, 2001 Bookmakers Jack Brown install Newport as favourites among the Welsh towns after receiving a bet for £100 that the Gwent town would triumph over main rivals Wrexham and the other bidders. After that the odds went down to 8-11.

August 13, 2001 The Argus begins a series of articles explaining why Newport's bid for city status deserves to succeed this time.

September 1, 2001 Official launch of Newport's bid, with Roman-themed events in the town centre and at the afternoon's Newport v Edinburgh rugby match

September 20, 2001 City bid goes on-line with the launch of the city status website at www.newport.gov.uk /city

September 29, 2001 The announcement that the Ryder Cup is coming to Newport and the Celtic Manor Resort provides a timely boost to the bid, just two weeks before it has to be submitted.

October 12, 2001 Newport's bid committee and pupils from Gaer junior school present the formal bid document to Secretary of State Paul Murphy.

November 29, 2001 Newport rugby stars give their backing to the campaign. The area's sporting heritage - in rugby, football, golf, hockey, cycling and other sports - is a key part of the bid.

December 12, 2001 Gwent AMs from all parties put aside their usual disagreements to add their united support to the bid campaign.

January 11, 2001 Newport MPs Alan Howarth and Paul Flynn host a reception at Westminster to promote the bid. One of Europe's most powerful politicians Neil Kinnock, vice-president of the European Commission, adds his weight to Newport's bid.

January 22, 2002 Newport AMs John Griffiths and Rosemary Butler host a reception at the Assembly to promote city status. A special cake, baked by Gemelli's, is raffled.

January 24,2002 The Argus reveals that four previous secretary of states for Wales are backing the Newport city bid.

February 8, 2002 The Lord Chancellor's announcement on which town has secured city status for the Queen's Golden Jubilee will be made before the end of March, the Argus reveals.

March 12, 2002 News leaks that the big announcement will be made on Thursday, March 14.

March 14, 2002 D-Day for Newport