About the Competition

All entries have now been judged by Evening Gazette Editor Darren Thwaites and a winner and three runners up have been selected who each will receive exclusive Middlesbrough treats and goodies including a pampering day at Middlesbrough's top leisure venues, tickets to see a game at Middlesbrough's Riverside Stadium, a meal at Restaurant Sassari and cinema tickets. Check out their winning entries below!

We have also published some of the other entries we received so you can see why people think Middlesbrough is a place to shout about! Thanks to everyone who entered.

All the comments we received will also inform Middlesbrough's new image campaign which is due to be launched in the autumn.

Keep an eye open for further updates on visitmiddlesbrough.com when we will be reporting on the experiences of the winners and latest campaign developments.

Winning Entries

*Winner*
Mrs Norma Sutcliffe, Marton

Norma received the use of the spa facilities at the Thistle Leisure Club, Otium, makeup by Estee Lauder, Debenhams, clothes by Psyche, hair by Sylvia Denham of Chintz and an evening out, transported by limo to the Thistle's Gengis Restaurant

"I love Middlesbrough because of the warmth of the people, its unique 'Herculean' industrial heritage, its close proximity to coast and country, its new and vibrant social and cultural atmosphere, the harmony that Middlesbrough shares through diversity of cultures and most of all because it is home and I am proud to call it so."

2nd Place Runner Up
Mr Robin Midgley, Surrey

Second prize is a meal for 2 at Restaurant Sassari and tickets for a Boro match courtesy of Middlesbrough Football Club.

"I love the mix of the surrounding beautiful rolling countryside with market square picture postcard villages. I love the hustle and bustle of central Middlesbrough where the shops, restaurants and pubs provide value for money. Finally, I love the Football club who are the ultimate cool with their cutting edge Academy producing fabulous local talent of which they are rightly proud."

3rd Place Runner Up
Mrs Susan Cox, Middlesbrough

3rd prize is two tickets for Cineworld.

"Middlesbrough has cutting edge regeneration, is cosmopolitan, has great nightlife, and reflects passionately its industrial heritage. We have adoring boro fans, great shopping and i am proud to say it's my home."

4th Place Runner Up
Mr David Carter, Middlesbrough

Fourth prize is a bouquet of flowers.

"A steel town with a heart of gold! Townsfolk with notable bottle - and a bottle of notes! Food and footballers from around the globe!"

Other Entries

Mrs Mary Dunning
"It is a fantastic place due to the people (friendly & helpful). I was born here, have had a good education got a great job, married here and hope to win the lottery and stay here."

Mrs Karen Cargill
"Middlesbrough is where I grew up and where I work, and until recently where I lived. I have seen it grow and change but it always seems like home. I am proud to tell everyone I meet that I am from the Boro!"

Professor Zulfiqur Ali
"The people of Middlesbrough are so friendly and open."

Ms Christine McDonald
"I love the fact that we have a very eclectic mix of people from many countries and cultures and for the most part we all get on. There is very little open racism."

Mrs Claire Stockton
"Because it's the heart of my home."

Mrs Celia Gardner
"When it comes to style, Boro wins by a mile."

Miss Lucy Watson
"I went to uni in boro 2001 - 2005, the evolution of the town is amazing. You have invested so much in the town centre and university to make it modern and inviting. I love the art pieces around campus and town, it shows how much you care about improving Teesside."

Mrs Lynn Stainsby
"Middlesbrough is a real town, with real people living real lives. We have no unnecessary airs and graces; just honesty, integrity, resilience, friendliness and spirit with a willingness and capability to take on new challenges. But the best thing is the expression of surprise on the faces of visitors when they discover Middlesbrough for the first time."

Mrs Janet Bird
"I love the people in Middlesbrough for their warmth and welcome of people from anywhere, you'll quickly make friends in any pub in the town. It also boasts a wide variety of great food outlets, from pasties and parmos to fine dining. You can come to the Boro as a stranger but will certainly leave as a friend."

Miss Emma Cole
"Middlesbrough is like a family that welcomes everybody. No matter what their gender, ethnicity or social background is. I came to Teesside a student and became a resident. Middlesbrough offers fun activities for everybody, to celebrate life, music, Easter, Christmas, autumn, spring and summer."

Miss Tracy Skinner
"The thing I love most about Middlesbrough are my memories of my time at the University of Teesside where I worked and studied for four years. The developments that were taking place were so fast paced that it created a great atmosphere on campus. It's wonderful to see such regeneration in the centre of Middlesbrough."

Mr Len Junier
"Proud to belong to a place like Middlesbrough that is a town that has promised to deliver and is now delivering what it promised. People in Middlesbrough know how to welcome, how to offer their warmth to any who arrive. In Middlesbrough now there are solutions where before were just problems, the town is being driven not directed, led not pulled along and is quickly becoming the cultural heart of Teesside."

Mr Mike Dowsett
"It's simple, the people are GREAT!"

Miss Angela Swales
"Middlesbrough and its surroundings creates amazing contrasts, from the industrial to the natural landscape, the people are warm friendly and inviting, and most importantly are proud of their town."

Mrs Barbara Neil
"Middlesbrough has the best of everything, excellent coast, exquisite countryside all within short distance of its centre."

Mr Mark Mcglade
"It is people that makes a place, and in boro we have the most friendly, funny people in the world. I have lived in the so-called glamour cities - New York, London, Paris - but nowhere are there such genuine folk as here. From the humble street cleaner to heads of big busines, people smile and say hello, you can start conversations with anyone"

Mr Lee Featherstone
"My home... My heart... My light."

Mr Jonathan Strathern
"I'm so proud of where I am from! The people are so friendly! The nightlife, the place is growing bigger and better, more shops, great shops and most of all, my home, THE RIVERSIDE STADIUM!! It is our home and it always will be! Up the Boro!!!"

Miss RonaMoulstone
"I love middlesbrough because of its shopping, day & night atmosphere & the uni!!!"

Mr Anthony Irving
"What I love about Middlesbrough is the ability the town and the people have to stand out, embrace change, be passionate about where we come from and what we do."

Mr Anthony Russell
"Steelworks, shipbuilding, heavy engineering, bridge building, petrochemicals. This town has been one of England's premier industrial powerhouses for over 100 years. A lot of people in the country look down their noses at us 'smoggies' but I am proud of our shared heritage. Just listen to 'Steel River' by Chris Rea to understand what we are all about. "I was born and raised on Steel River." And, yes, we know that the song is about leaving Middlesbrough but the town is in his heart and it is in all our hearts."
Miss Victoria Rushin

"Middlesbrough is a fighter. Despite all the odds it manages to offer great shopping; proud, friendly people; innovative attractions and a real sense of progress and improvement. People care, and it's a great base for getting to know the North East of England."
Mr Ste Robson

"Its got parmos n pop, n hard graft a lot... with iron or steel thrown into the pot ... King Gibbo's our man, Gate's Army we shout those stupid Geordie Magpies will never win out... Boro's our love, our passion, our home. Its what makes a man instead of a gnome!"

Mrs Lisa Payne
"Having been born and bred in Middlesbrough, and now having the opportunity to study as a mature student at Teesside University in Middlesbrough. I am extremely proud of my roots and take great pleasure in telling people where I'm from and studying."

Mr Jonathan Strathern
"I am in the army and I am a fanatic of the town I am from! I am constantly talking about Boro! The Riverside is my home! Our parmos are mint and I have to take one to my sister in the Lake District whenever I visit her! Boro is the best!!!"

Mrs Cecilia Gardner
"I love the forward thinking of the Council. I love the extent of the shopping areas. I love to see the pride and love that the locals have for the Boro."

Mrs Margaret Robinson
"The people from Middlesbrough should be proud... We support the Boro with pride and passion... and we can shop in the Malls for gifts and fashion!"

Mrs Janette Thornburn
"Middlesbrough ...college grounds, an all year rounder at Hall Drive Acklam. In the heart of M'bro, yet calm and unspoilt. Beautiful trees and wonderful scenery. Spring, summer, autumn, winter... it's inspiring to watch the seasons change, listen to the different sounds, birds singing, trees blowing, the sun glistening on the pond, the ducks with their new offspring and the children laughing and playing with their new conkers. I HOPE IT LIVES FOREVER."


Mrs Sarah Towers
"Middlesbrough has loads to offer as a town from good pubs and restaurants to museums, great parks, cinema and now a new art gallery. Living costs are reasonable while you have all the advantages of a major town whilst being a stone's throw away from excellent countryside and the north east coast."

Miss Janet Watkinson
"Middlesbrough...it has the lot. Animex, bungee jumping, Cannon Park, designer boutiques, excitement, a fantastic football team, green flag parks, high street shops, international festivals and Jools holland. Its got Kitch-en gallery, live music, Mima art gallery, nightlife and orchestras, Psyche, quality shopping, restaurants, a skate plaza, transporter bridge and more! There's a university and it's got a vision, wonderful people, exciting days out, and youth friendly. From A-Z, Middlesbrough is the place to be!"

Mrs Collette Pratchett
"As a student in the early 80s I was welcomed by all my neighbours in typical Boro fashion....with down to earth wisdom, generosity and good humour....you can't get that anywhere else!"

Mr Gemma James
"I believe that there is nowhere like Middlesbrough because the people make the town. They are kind and considerate regarding each other and visitors to the town. There are no people like Middlesbrough people."

Mrs Helen Walton
"The people - they are all so friendly. We have everything on hand - the seaside, the countryside and a fantastic town. The nightlife is brilliant."

Mr Iain Sloan
"I love the fact that Middlesbrough is a secret, so many people across the country have no clue about the great people, and town that is Middlesbrough... I grew up here, I came back to go to University and would recommend it to anyone. My only regret is that I don't live there now. To sum Boro up, vibrant, friendly, exciting and the most underrated town in the UK. To those who are negative about it, well you can't ever have really been here!"

Mrs Helen Ellis
"Middlesbrough's great network of cycle routes allow you to explore our fantastic parks and open spaces. The shops have something for everyone and the university campus makes me wish I was a student again! The clean, modern lines of the central square and MIMA on a sunny afternoon make me feel like I'm on a European city break, whilst the duck pond and the view of the Cleveland hills remind me that I'm home again...."