The England bid to host the 2018 football World Cup has been bolstered by a further £250,000 from each of the selected host cities.

The fresh funds from Birmingham, Bristol, Leeds, Liverpool, London, Manchester, Milton Keynes, Newcastle, Nottingham, Plymouth, Sheffield and Sunderland will be used to further develop the bid and give England every possible chance to be selected in December 2010.

Despite the financial support from the proposed cities, it is Fifa that will have the final say should the bid be successful and England are chosen to host the tournament for the first time since 1966.

In a press conference the chief executive of the bid, Andy Anson, revealed that the team were close to securing major sponsorship that would put the project on target to reach the £15.5m required to support the bid in subsequent phases.

In addition to funds from the host cities and partners, the government have awarded a £2.5m loan and signed off £300m in financial guarantees. The loan, along with a percentage of profits should England be choses to host the tournament, will be paid back to support the grassroots of sport.