Despite being one of the largest towns in the South East, Reading is not a city.

Reading has failed to reach city status more than three times despite it being one of the largest towns in the south east geographically.

The town has everything a city would have: a large shopping centre, a university and a championship football club.

It has plenty of places to eat, nightclubs and even the train station has been put on the London tube map.

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Reading Chronicle:

The population is pretty big too, with more people living in Reading than the population of St Davids in Wales (the smallest city in Britain - population 1,600).

It's easy to see why it gets called a city - so why isn't it one?

Earlier this week, Banksy put a spotlight on the town by painting a mural on the wall of Reading prison.

Reading Chronicle:

The street artist dominated national news to a certain degree and TV shows like Ant and Dec's Saturday Night Takeaway picked up on it.

On the show last night, one of the questions asked was which 'city' did Banksy graffiti a prison.

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Of course, the fact Reading was classed as a city hit a nerve with some people because it's a town!

In 2012, Reading missed out on city status leaving former Reading East MP Rob Wilson to say: "I want to see Reading deliver as technically a city."

Reading can only become a city if The Queen grants it a Royal Charter in one of her Letters Patent.

Even if that does happen, there are no official benefits that come with being a city.

There will be no extra money or powers for the council if it is successful, as the title is only honorific.

Do you think Reading should become a city? Comment below