City firefighters fan the flames for World Cup bid at Liverpool Pavilion

A group of Merseyside firefighters visited the Liverpool Pavilion at the Shanghai World Expo to support England's bid to host the 2018 FIFA World Cup.

The 16-man Mersey Fire and Rescue football squad, which is currently defending its title at the World Firefighter Games in South Korea, took a break from training to help promote the 'Back the Bid' campaign.

Liverpool is the only UK city with a dedicated presence at the World Expo in Shanghai and the visit was timed to coincide with the arrival of FIFA's World Cup Inspection team, which is due to make its final announcement in 100 days' time.

Oliver Hayakawa, Director of The Liverpool Shanghai Partnership, who greeted the firefighting footballers at the Expo, said: "It was great to welcome the firefighters to the Liverpool Pavilion. Their enthusiasm for promoting Liverpool and the city's World Cup 2018 Bid was infectious; they certainly made an impression on our Chinese visitors.

"The Pavilion is a really enjoyable experience and all the firefighters got into the spirit of what we're trying to achieve here. Let's hope they can do the city proud and retain the trophy they won in 2008."

Neil Peterson from Liverpool City Council said "We are delighted that our firefighters have been so keen to promote England's World Cup bid during their visit to Shanghai.

The evident enthusiasm of Pavilion visitors and their huge interest in Liverpool as one of the world's greatest football cities demonstrates the kind of impact we believe that a World Cup in England in 2018 would have.

"The firefighters also provide a great example of the impact football can have at community level, encouraging more people to play the game at all levels."

Liverpool's presence at Expo 2010 is being led by Liverpool Vision in partnership with the Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA), Liverpool City Council, and the Liverpool Shanghai Partnership.