Crawley’s application to become a city has been turned down by the government. 

Crawley was hoping to mark its 75th anniversary of becoming a new town by achieving city status.  It is among three towns in the South East whose applications were turned down along with Guildford and Medway.  All had applied for the honour to mark the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee. 

Crawley Borough Council leader, Peter Lamb, said the bid had raised the town’s profile to potential investors.