THOUSANDS of Merseysiders are threatening to leave internet site Facebook after accusing them of snubbing the city.

Disgruntled members of the site formed the group Liverpool Network Ultimatum two weeks ago. And it is gaining popularity.

It followed a refusal by Facebook to create a networking group for the city, despite smaller towns and cities including Plymouth and Brighton featuring on the British list.

Last year a petition was started with 30,000 signatures demanding the media giants take action.

But so far Facebook has refused to budge despite complaints being sent to founder and chief executive officer Mark Zuckerberg.

If the pleas continue to be ignored, the group said it would prompt a mass Facebook exodus and they would cancel their membership on April 1.

The Liverpool Network Ultimatum’s 2,000 members could quit the site.

Paul Downes, 53, from Aintree, who started the ultimatum group, said: “Liverpool is the 2008 European Capital of Culture and it is insulting to the city and its citizens that they are being treated in this manner.

“It’s as if the administrators are unaware of Liverpool’s existence, reinforcing the image many people have of Americans as being ignorant of the rest of the world.”

“Liverpool members have been advised by Facebook to join the Manchester network. It’s hardly surprising people are a bit miffed at that.”

Facebook has told users Liverpool is not in its database, so they are unable to create a network for it.

The website is the latest internet craze with millions of people from across the world signing up to the site, which allows them to communicate with friends and share pictures.

Users from American cities, and a selection of British cities, can join a network to link them to fellow Facebook fans from their area.

Cities also featuring on the networking list include Portsmouth, Sheffield, Leeds, Bristol, Newcastle and London.

Nobody at Facebook was available to comment.