The bridge will be about one mile long

The bridge would be one of the longest in the world and would link Liverpool with Birkenhead and the rest of Wirral.

The idea for the project was floated by Councillor Flo Clucas, executive member for community safety, last week.

Funding for the project would be provided by the European Union if its Objective 1 programme grants the city an extra �600m in 2006.

A spokesman said a bridge across the Mersey would give tourists access to the best possible view of Liverpool's waterfront.

Visitors would be able to see the newly-regenerated area, which the council hopes will by then include the Fourth Grace, Kings Dock Arena and new cruise liner terminal at Princes Dock.

The bridge would command views of Liverpool's planned Fourth Grace

The bridge would have to have a retractable section to allow ships to sail into the docks.

Cllr Flo Clucas told BBC News Online the idea had already captured many people's imaginations.

She said: "It is an interesting idea, and one that is open for debate and discussion.

"It is something that we will discuss and open up to public debate."

Merseyside and other areas of the UK like Cornwall, west Wales and South Yorkshire, qualify for the funding as they are among the poorest areas of the 15 nations in the EU.

There were fears the region would miss out on further funding when 10 other European countries become members on 1 May.

Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Slovakia and Slovenia will be joining the union.

Regeneration cash

Merseyside will be seen as richer in comparison and may no longer qualify for the cash.

But councillors are hopeful the county would still qualify for a further share of the regeneration money.

The European Union say, if they grant the money to Merseyside, it should be spent on major engineering projects in the region.

Liverpool City Council are keen to spread the regeneration of the region from Liverpool to Wirral.