Dafydd Wigley says he has strong feelings about a 2007 eisteddfod

Mr Wigley, chair of this year's eisteddfod finance committee, is backing the idea, if there is no other viable option for a Welsh venue.

It has led to strong objections, and former archdruid Robyn Lewis walked out during his speech in protest.

Problems with the eisteddfod's funding means the only concrete offer to hold the 2007 event comes from Merseyside.

We've got to face the reality that decisions have to be taken between now and Christmas otherwise there won't be (an eisteddfod) in 2007 Dafydd Wigley

Senior eisteddfod officials have already warned that decisions over its future funding must be made within weeks rather than months.

The eisteddfod, an annual celebration of Welsh-language culture, including music, dance, poetry, and art, moves around Wales each year. This year it is hosted by the Faenol estate in Gwynedd.

The festival has been held in Liverpool three times before - in 1884, 1900, and 1929 and has been invited to return to the city in the run-up to Liverpool's City of Culture celebrations in 2008.

Flintshire Council had offered to stage the 2007 eisteddfod but it has come to light that the local authority does not have the funds.

The eisteddfod is a celebration of Welsh language culture

Culture Minister Alun Pugh has said the assembly government would not write a blank cheque to underwrite the festival. He will hold a meeting with Welsh local authorities in September to discuss its funding.

Mr Wigley said Liverpool must be considered as an option until a Welsh site can be guaranteed.

He said: "I have very strong feelings about sustaining the National Eisteddfod.

"If it's a choice between having the eisteddfod in Wales or in Liverpool, of course it should be in Wales.

"But if the choice is between not having the eisteddfod at all, and being in Liverpool, we would be crazy to lose the continuity, close down the office, lose the sponsorship patterns that we've got and have an awful job then to re-establish it for Cardiff in 2008.

"I believe that there's overwhelming recognition that we've got to be practical about this.

"I only wish the Welsh counties would come to an agreement with Alun Pugh in September that will guarantee the future of the eisteddfod on Welsh soil for the next 20 years.

"But if that doesn't happen, we have a responsibility to make sure that it does take place in 2007 and that's why I've said what I have.

"Flint(shire) had offered, but they've got financial difficulties.

"But we've got to face the reality that decisions have to be taken between now and Christmas otherwise there won't be one in 2007 and that's why we have to face the question of Liverpool as one of the opportunities."