IT'S a battle royale between Dunfermline and St Andrews who appear to be the favourites to win the competition and become Scotland's eighth city.

Bookmakers McBookie are reported to have the Fife rivals at 5-2 and 2-1 respectively, ahead of the other six locations north of the border who are in the running.

There are 38 places across the UK hoping to win city status which is being awarded as part of the Queen's Platinum Jubilee.

Other entries from Scotland include Dumfries, Elgin, Greenock, Livingston, Oban and South Ayrshire – areas as well as towns can apply.

The Cabinet Office is overseeing the competition to award the civic honour and celebrate the 70th anniversary of Her Majesty's ascent to the throne.

Asked when the winner would be announced, a spokesperson told the Press last week they were "unable to announce anything during the pre-election period" and there was "no set date yet".

It seems likely the towns will find out if they've been successful around the four-day bank holiday weekend at the start of June.

The former capital of Scotland, Dunfermline is also the final resting place of kings and queens, including Robert the Bruce, and boasts ancient sites such as Dunfermline Abbey and the Palace ruins, both of which are the best part of 1,000-years-old.

It was also the home town of the great philanthropist, Andrew Carnegie, once the richest man in the world, and moving to the modern day, is said to be the fastest growing town in Europe.

It's the first opportunity in 10 years for towns to 'win' city status – Perth took the honour in 2012, joining Aberdeen, Dundee, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Inverness and Stirling as Scottish cities.