It's little more than a seafront strip with a café, an amusement arcade and a bar, but Millport could become Britain's smallest city.

The hamlet, on the tiny isle of Great Cumbrae, located four miles from the ferry slipway in Largs, in North Ayrshire, is considering launching a bid for city status when a competition is next held by the Queen.

It plans to use the move to assert its claim to house the country's smallest Cathedral. The Cathedral of the Isles, built in 1875, has a nave measuring 40ft by 20ft and seats just 70 people.

If successful Millport, whose population is 1200, could promote itself as Britain's smallest cathedral city. That distinction is currently held by St David's, in Pembrokeshire, which has a population of 2000.

The Queen is currently considering the latest round of bids from towns applying for city status.

The winners will be announced next year to coincide with her diamond jubilee.

Among those seeking the honour are Bournemouth, Luton, Milton Keynes, Bolton, Swindon, Middlesbrough, Croydon and St Austell. Perth is the only Scottish town included in the list.

Millport is too late to be included in the latest round – bids closed on Friday – but it is considering launching a challenge when the next competition is held.