A new project has been launched to discover the most famous cultural treasures of the nation. Organised by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, Icons - a portrait of England asks the public to nominate their favourite symbols of the country’s culture.

The DCMS has released a list of 12 icons and the public votes will add a dozen symbols every three months. The current list includes Stonehenge, Henry VIII’s portrait by Hans Holbein, the King James Bible, the SS Empire Windrush, Lewis Carroll's Alice in Wonderland, the FA Cup and the Spitfire fighter plane. Culture minister David Lammy commented: ‘The website helps us to explore how our response to icons has shaped our understanding of personal and national identity.’ The scheme may be increased to include Wales, Scotland and Ireland. Managing director of not-for-profit company ICONS, Jerry Doyle stated: ‘The hope is that more of us will pass through the doors of the nation's museums and galleries as we grow in awareness about the fascinating things housed in them.’ www.icons.org.uk