WARRINGTON can expect unprecedented visitor numbers, tens of millions in additional funding and hundreds of job opportunities – if its 2021 City of Culture bid is successful.

The borough is among 11 areas battling for the prestigious title, with a shortlist to be announced in the summer.

It is estimated that Hull will benefit from a £60 million boost to its economy from being the UK City of Culture 2017.

It has also seen a £1 billion investment since winning the honour in 2013.

Hull City Council invested £3.6 million while going for the title but has since secured £32 million from 60 funders.

And a range of projects have been boosted by the windfall – a vision the city's council bosses believe could be mirrored in Warrington.

A spokesman said: "As a council we have also accelerated a number of major investments so that they are ready or well under way for 2017 and beyond.

"£100 million investment in these projects has already generated £77.5 million of additional public sector funding and £78 million of private sector funding.

"Over the life of the programme we expect our investment to deliver £330 million gross value added into the local economy, creating 1,600 jobs – 1,000 in construction and 600 permanent.

"All of this work – along with plans for a cruise terminal, will significantly improve the city's cultural, retail and leisure offer and provide quality environment and experience for residents and visitors for generations to come.

"Since setting out our ambitions in our city plan and winning the title, we've seen 40 new businesses open in our city centre.

"Hull's employment rate is increasing faster than the national average and jobseeker's allowance claimants are at the lowest they have ever been.

"342,000 people visited Hull's City of Culture opening events in the city centre in the first fortnight of 2017 – figures that have not been seen for a generation.

"These huge visitor numbers boost the city's economic picture, job creation, visitor and tourism money."

The initial bid stage is expected to cost Warrington around £100,000, with the council mainly funding it by using a one-off allocation from reserves.

As part of the work, a feasibility study will be conducted into the business case for a theatre.

Hull's success resulted in vastly improved facilities at two of the authority's cultural gems – the Ferens Art Gallery and Hull New Theatre.

And the new 3,500-seat Hull Venue, which will provide a high quality space for performances and events from early 2018, is set to bring an additional £13.8 million into the area's economy each year.

The winning area for the 2021 title will be announced in December.

Cllr Dan Price, chairman of the Warrington 2021 City of Culture board, will be one of the leading figures behind the town’s bid.