Some of the judges who will decide the fate of Brighton and Hove's bid to become European Capital of Culture were named today .

At a Westminster Press conference, Cabinet Minister Tessa Jowell revealed the panel will be headed by Sir Jeremy Isaacs.

Sir Jeremy, the former chief executive of Channel Four and general director of the Royal Opera House, will draw up a shortlist from the 12 contenders by autumn this year.

He will be joined on the panel by former Radio 4 Today programme presenter Sue MacGregor and Judith Mayhew, chairman of the policy and resources committee at the Corporation of London, Ms Jowell said further appointments to the panel would be announced shortly.

She added: "The 12 bids for Capital of Culture status show how keenly cities have risen to the challenge of this competition.

"I congratulate them for all their energy and imagination. These cities understand what culture can do for the local economy, their people's civic pride and their own work to promote social inclusion.

"To become UK European Capital of Culture in 2008 will be a great honour and a fantastic opportunity for the city chosen.

"We want to ensure the selection process is fair and transparent as possible. And we want to be sure the city with the greatest potential and most imaginative plan is successful."

Brighton and Hove is facing stiff competition from Belfast, Birmingham, Bradford, Bristol, Canterbury and East Kent, Cardiff, Inverness and the Highlands, Liverpool, Newcastle/Gateshead, Norwich and Oxford.

These cities will be designated Centres of Culture.

The UK nomination will be selected from this list by Prime Minister Tony Blair by December 2003.

A jury, whose members are nominated by EU institutions, will report on the nomination during 2004 and the Council of Ministers will formally designate the city as European Capital of Culture in 2008.