Porthmadog town councillors want the event to stay in Wales

Members of Porthmadog Town Council said they did not want the festival to go outside Wales to Liverpool who has also offered to host it.

The National Eisteddfod Council's preferred location is Flintshire but it cannot provide financing.

Liverpool's bid is being considered but Porthmadog councillors are adamant the event should not be held in England.

Councillor Alwyn Gruffydd suggested the council was hostile to the idea of the eisteddfod going to Liverpool because of the historic enmity caused by the 1965 flooding of Cwm Celyn to create a reservoir to supply the city.

He said: "The council expresses it disappointment that there is any consideration (for Liverpool), mainly by the ones that have forgotten all about Tryweryn and Llanwyddyn and similar events over the years.

The eisteddfod's national council will next meet in June

"Liverpool is not the place to hold the eisteddfod now and it should be on Welsh soil.

"Because of the town council's decision, the eisteddfod have another option which is a sincere offer and a unanimous offer."

Chairman of the council Bethan Rees Jones said the eisteddfod could not come to the area this year and it was a disappointment and felt that we were being ignored.

"We now offer to hold the eisteddfod in two years time and I know there will be backing for it," she said.

Liverpool was built on Welsh labour and 2007 is Liverpool's 800th birthday Liverpool City Council spokesman

Eisteddfod Court President Dr R Alun Evans, said: "It is another option we now have and will discuss and consider it with the rest but there a number of things we must do before coming to a final decision.

Last Saturday, a meeting of National Eisteddfod council in Aberystwyth heard the 2007 event may not be held at all that year if no decision on a location is made.

A Liverpool City Council spokesman said they would not respond to Mr Gruffydd's comments.

"Liverpool was built on Welsh labour and 2007 is Liverpool's 800th birthday ," he said.