Doncaster Monopoly edition confirmed - and these are the places the makers have suggested including

Manufacturers of the iconic board game Monopoly have confirmed they will start producing a Doncaster themed version of the famous set later this year.

It was selected from a shortlist of 25 towns in the north east of England to get an edition of the game.

The firm said Doncaster came out on top after their research, just pipping Ripon.

Civic and tourist leaders are hailing the news as a major boost for Doncaster.

Afolabi Omotola, custom games executive at Winning Moves UK, who make the game under licence from Hasbro, said: “We are delighted that the Monopoly dice for this year shall be rolling on Doncaster. It has beaten 24 other great north-east places in an exciting contest. We very nearly had to roll the dice between Ripon and Doncaster it was so close - but Doncaster just won. We studied 25 cities and towns. Very many congratulations to Doncaster. We discovered it has lots of hidden treasures – absolutely essential as we need around 30 leading landmarks to fill the board.”

The manufacturers have initially proposed Doncaster Racecourse, Conisbrough Castle, the Mansion House, Doncaster Sheffield Airport and the Keepmoat Stadium as possible locations to replace the London property spaces like Mayfair and Park Lane.

But the public will be invited to vote for landmarks to feature in the game. Stations will be travel themed.The Chance and Community Chest cards are being customised too. Proposals have included sending players back three spaces for supporting Sheffield United rather than Doncaster Rovers, or a reward for picking the winner of the St Leger.

Mr Omotola added: “We can’t wait to see the suggestions for the Monopoly property spaces and cards. Not just specifically which Doncaster landmarks should feature – but also on what coloured locations. For example, a shopping centre on the Oxford Street space? Or a newspaper on Fleet Street? Maybe a local government building on Whitehall?”

Bill Mordue, Doncaster Council’s cabinet member for economic development, was delighted to see a local edition.

He said: “Doncaster has a wealth of destinations and landmarks from historic buildings through to popular visitor attractions. Recognising them in a Doncaster themed Monopoly board game is superb news.”