SWANAGE has failed to be selected as the Town of Culture for 2026 despite being shortlisted.

Wimborne Minster was selected for the award, which will see the town put on a range of cultural and community events.

The town will receive £30,000 which will be match funded by the town council to bring a programme of events designed to improve access to culture for everyone.

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Other towns that missed out on the award include Sherborne and Ferndown.

Town of Culture was established by Arts Development Company, which is responsible for Dorset’s cultural strategy, to strengthen cultural activity and to deepen relationships between communities, cultural venues and organisations.