North of England 2040? Andy Burnham backs plan for multi-city Olympics bid

Burnham said a northern Games bid was ‘what Britain needs right now’. Photograph: Phil Noble/Reuters

The north of England is seeking to host the Olympic and Paralympic Games to boost a region “left out of the national story”.

Northern leaders have written to the culture secretary, Lisa Nandy, urging the government to back a multi-city games spanning an area with a population of 15 million people.