ST ALBANS cathedral is nominated as one of the best things Britain has to offer in a national project showcasing our national treasures.

It is currently in 71st place in a list of “greats” voted for by the public as part of The Great Exhibition 2012.

Launched when Britain was declared host of the 2012 Olympic Games, the project aims to promote British industry, talent and tourist attractions.

Jackie Pollard, managing director of The Great Exhibition 2012, said: “The aim is to promote opportunities in each region and to get people involved.

“We are trying to encourage everybody to go on the website and say what they think is great about Great Britain.

“It is a community-based project and there is no right or wrong answer. Whatever it is you think is great you can go to the website and nominate it.”

So far nominations range from suffragette Emmeline Pankhurst and St Paul’s Cathedral to a traditional English cup of tea.

St Albans Cathedral currently has 56 votes, placing it 336 votes behind the current leader, Peterborough Male Voices Choir.

But the cathedral is ahead of Hertfordshire which stands in 125th place with just two votes.

So far around 1,500 “greats” have been nominated and over 26,000 votes cast.

Ms Pollard said: “But this is not substantial enough!

“We know that in an Olympic year tourism is completely crippled. More people leave the country and fewer people come in.

“We are desperate to promote great things to get people to come over here.”

The project will culminate in a live event in Peterborough from July 27 to August 11, 2012, which an estimated 2.1million people will attend.

The five highest-scoring nominations in each category will be given exhibition space there to promote themselves.

Ms Pollard said the exhibition is based on the Festival of Great Britain exhibitions in 1951 and 1961.

To find out more about The Great Exhibition 2012 visit http://www.thegreatexhibition2012.co.uk