Thousands of people have watched a stadium show to launch a year of culture in Leeds, which is staging its own 12-month cultural celebrations after Brexit scuppered its chances of being European Capital of Culture.

The UK has been disqualified from hosting the European Capital of Culture in 2023, as a result of Brexit.

The Government says it is "deeply disappointed", but Brussels says the move is an "inescapable conclusion" of Brexit.

Five British cities have been told they must withdraw their bids for the 2023 European Capital of Culture because of Brexit.

Decision dashes hopes of cities such as Dundee and Leeds, which were preparing bids costing hundreds of thousands of pounds

A European Capital of Culture is a city designated by the European Union (EU) for a period of one calendar year during which it organises a series of cultural events with a strong pan-European dimension.

The European Commission has cancelled the UK's turn to host the European Capital of Culture after Brexit, disappointing the bidding cities.

The most important Brexit event of the week came and went with relatively little fanfare, yet it marks a significant moment.