MINISTER for Sport Gerry Sutcliffe has labelled Plymouth's imminent World Cup bid as 'quality'.

The government minister visited the city yesterday and said that the bid to host World Cup games at Home Park in 2018 was 'very competitive'.

He said: "Plymouth is one of those cities I would say has made a quality bid which will make it very competitive."

Mr Sutcliffe spoke to The Herald at the Mayflower Centre in Central Park. He was there to meet divers and coaches as they prepare for the London 2012 Olympics.

But he took time out to talk about the landmark World Cup bid.

Several cities are in the running to host World Cup games. Argyle's bid consortium has until November 26 to put together a submission to the FA. In the second week of December, the consortium will make a presentation to the FA and, on December 16, it will hear if Plymouth has been chosen.

A decision on which cities will be chosen as part of England's application to host the World Cup tournament will be made before Christmas.

Mr Sutcliffe said, of all the bids across England: "We have been very pleased at the quality of the bids that have come forward."

But he said the 'first battle' was to win the England bid to be chosen as the host nation for the 2018 tournament.

He said that if Plymouth won its bid, there would be benefits for the city in the way of visitors, tourism and businesses over the World Cup period.

He said it would 'raise the profile of the city' on a world stage – and 'benefit the region', if the bid was successful.

Mr Sutcliffe met some of the city's diving stars yesterday, including World Champion Tom Daley, whom he called a 'role model'. He toured the facilities at the Mayflower Centre and observed the divers training.

Mr Sutcliffe praised the city for its planned Life Centre in Central Park, which is scheduled to open in September 2011 and will house world-class sports facilities.

He said that 'people are crying out for quality facilities' and he said he was 'really pleased' with Plymouth City Council's ambitions.

He said: "Each sports provision now has to be first class and sustainable."

Tom Daley said it was 'really good' to meet Mr Sutcliffe – particularly as, he said, he is 'one of the most important men in sport'.

He said: "I think it's really important for people to know what we have got in Plymouth.

"Hopefully we can get some newer and better facilities in Plymouth."

To pledge your support for the city's World Cup bid, go to http://www.plymouthworldcupbid.com, click on the red square link to the FA's England 2018 site and then scroll down the page to the voting registration web link. Alternatively, text 'Plymouth' to 62018.

Text message for 30,000.

UP TO 30,000 people on the Hoe tonight were expected to be encouraged to support Plymouth's World Cup bid.

Organisers of the bid are calling on revellers at the fireworks display to take part in a mass text event to help bring World Cup football to Plymouth in 2018.

Argyle director Keith Todd and former Plymouth Argyle and England star Paul Mariner were expected to take the stage at 7.55pm just ahead of the fireworks to encourage the assembled crowd to send simultaneous text messages to the FA.

More than three million people have already registered their support for the applicant host cities.

A successful host city bid relies on strong public backing and Plymouth's numbers 'need boosting', said bid organisers, who are planning the audacious simultaneous texting event to 'make up the ground'.

Mr Todd said: "The Bonfire night event on the Hoe brings people together from across Plymouth to enjoy the celebrations.

"Mobile technology gives everyone the tools to have a major influence on the bidding competition.

Our plan gives the people of Plymouth the opportunity to send a very clear message to the FA – we want the World Cup to come to Devon and Cornwall!"

Plymouth Argyle's World Cup bid with Soccer AM presenter Helen Chamberlain.

Argyle press conference: Plymouth bid to host World Cup.