THE North-East's bid for European Capital of Culture status is the bookies' favourite.

The claim staked by Newcastle and Gateshead is ranked the 3-1 front runner by bookmaker Blue Square, ahead of Belfast at 7-2 and Liverpool at 5-1.

Winning the 2008 title will bring in an extra £700m from tourism and create 17,000 jobs, according to the Newcastle and Gateshead Initiative, which is spearheading the bid.

Blue Square spokesman Ed Pownall said he believed influential politicians from the region would favour the bid, and that Newcastle Gateshead was perceived to have a better infrastructure than Liverpool.

Handing the title to Belfast would be "a very political" decision.

He thought Cardiff, at 6-1, had a strong chance, as its Millennium Stadium was serving as Britain's national stadium since Wembley's demise.

He said: "They are owed a favour. It's also a well-connected and big place.''

Birmingham and Bradford were at 8-1, with Bradford having a good chance, in recognition of the city's efforts to overcome racial tension.

Birmingham has been fancied for its prowess at handling major events and harmonious ethnic relations.

Oxford and Brighton were priced at 12-1, Norwich, Canterbury and Bristol 14-1, and Inverness at 20-1.

The deadline for entries is Sunday and a panel of judges will be announced soon after.

The judges are expected to put their shortlist before Culture, Media and Sport Secretary Tessa Jowell in the autumn. She will then ask Prime Minister Tony Blair to ratify her recommended city in spring, next year.

Claims that politics would play a part in the decision-making process were "nonsense", a spokesman for the Department of Culture, Media and Sport said.