Liverpool could be the new home of the English National Opera (ENO) after it was forced to leave London.
Chief executive of the ENO, Stuart Murphy, told the Guardian Liverpool and Manchester are "really strong contenders" in the running to become opera company's new home. The move comes after the ENO had its general public funding cut from £12.8m a year to zero in November by Arts Council England (ACE) as part of plans aimed at diverting culture money outside London.
The 92-year-old opera company will still stage performances at the London Coliseum, but ACE has said its base must be outside the capital if it is to receive £24m in public funding over three years from 2024.
