The leading force behind Liverpool's bid for Capital of Culture status, Sir Bob Scott, has suffered a heart attack.

Sir Bob, who also led the bid for Manchester's Commonwealth Games and the same city's earlier bid for the Olympics, is recovering after surgery.

He was admitted to the Cardiothoracic Centre, in Broadgreen, Liverpool, on Wednesday.

The 58-year-old had admitted himself into the Royal Liverpool Hospital after complaining of chest pains at breakfast.

His dynamism and enthusiasm have been a key part in the city being shortlisted for the culture title

Cllr Mike Storey

He went into theatre and underwent an angiogram, where a tube is inserted into the blood stream to check the extent of blockage in the arteries.

A spokesman for the Cardiothoracic Centre said his condition was comfortable but he was expected to stay in hospital for a week.

Sir Bob has been one the leading figures in raising the national and international profile of the North West over the past decade.

He led the Manchester Olympic Games bid in the early 1990s, which eventually lost out to Sydney.

German links

He then helped bring the Commonwealth Games to Manchester before moving to Liverpool in 2000 to lead its application to be named European Capital of Culture 2008.

He was due to fly out to Cologne, Germany, on Thursday as part of developing cultural links with Liverpool's twin city.

Councillor Mike Storey, Liverpool Council Leader, said: ''Our thoughts are with Bob and I'm sure everyone in the city will join me in wishing him a speedy recovery and a return to the bid team.

"Bob has made a huge impact since he arrived in Liverpool and his dynamism and enthusiasm have been a key part in the city being shortlisted for the culture title.''

David Henshaw, chief executive of Liverpool City Council, has taken over Sir Bob's duties in the interim.