Bristol's 2018 World Cup bid takes off with backing from the Royal Air Force

Bristol's 2018 World Cup bid has taken off – with the backing of the Royal Air Force and by breaking through the 10,000-member barrier on Facebook.

Our boys based in RAF St Mawgan have signed their names on the giant Back Bristol football currently touring the region and garnering support to bring the competition to the West Country for the first time.

Footballers Danny Gaze, Rob Burchell, Matt Harding, Stu Cumber and Lee Hemnell all added their names to the campaign, which has just over a month to run before the England 2018 team makes its decision on which 12 venues to include in its bid to Fifa.

Squadron Leader Rich Lamb explained: "It would be fantastic to see world-class teams in the South West region. To have matches relatively close by would inspire a new generation to play sport and could involve volunteers of all ages."

Both Bristol and Plymouth have cast their hats in to the ring in the hope of representing the West Country.

RAF St Mawgan, in Newquay, Cornwall, recruits and trains RAF personnel and provides "parenting" to military and cadet organisations across the South West.

It is just one of many organisations to back the bid, support for which has been demonstrated by a new milestone online.

On Saturday morning the Facebook group Bring the World Cup 2018 to Bristol broke the 10,000 barrier for members.

It now leads support groups for rival cities by thousands.

And more than 100 people have joined since then in a firm message to the England 2018 team of support in the region.

Members have been rewarded with exclusive films and photos, released first on the site, and will continue to get unique insights into Bristol's bid ahead of its submission to the England 2018 bid team at Wembley on November 26.

Guy Price, development officer for Bristol City FC and member of the Bristol bid team, said: "Public support really is very important to this bid and it could well determine whether or not we are part of the overall England 2018 bid to FIFA next year.

"But our Twitter and Facebook followings tell us that we've got Bristol's public behind us.

"At this vital stage in the bid process this is great news.

"We hope that thousands more will follow us on Twitter, join the Facebook group and invite all their friends to join as well.

"Not only does the support count for a lot, but there'll be lots more sneak previews of Bristol's bid available on Facebook and Twitter, too."