Liverpool must play its part in the HS2 high-speed rail line, which could help to bridge the divide between the north and the south of the country.

This is the view of the University of Liverpool's Professor Michael Parkinson, who has given his backing to a campaign to link HS2 directly to the city, the Liverpool Echo reports.

"This is a once-in-a-lifetime investment and Liverpool must make the case that this city is central to it and not on the periphery," he said.

Campaigners estimate that connecting Liverpool to the HS2 network would bring an £8.3 billion boost to the region's economy and create between 14,000 and 26,000 new jobs.

Professor Parkinson said the city must make a positive case for the connection, rather than claiming it should benefit because other cities such as Leeds and Manchester are set to do so.

If Liverpool is not connected to HS2, the journey time between London and Liverpool will be one hour and 36 minutes, while it would take only one hour and eight minutes to reach Manchester from the capital.