CHESTER is poised to make a bid to become a World Heritage Site – hoping to match Liverpool’s success in attracting many more tourists.

The looming application is expected to focus on the city’s medieval rows, the famously well-preserved series of half-timbered buildings joined with long galleries.

Councillors on the new Cheshire West and Chester authority, created by the switch to unitary councils, were set to rubber-stamp the first stage of the application last night.

It clears the way for Colin Potts, Chester’s culture park manager, to carry out a full cost-benefit analysis of both making a bid and of achieving world heritage status.

The status – which puts treasured sites on a par with the Great Barrier Reef, the Taj Mahal and the Great Wall of China – has attracted more visitors to Liverpool’s iconic waterfront.

But the Chester bid can only go ahead if the Government agrees to open up its existing lists of applicant sites to new nominations, after a consultation that closes next month.

Ultimately, the decision is made by Unesco, the United Nations body, which has hinted at honouring more natural habitats in the developing world, in future.

Christine Russell, Chester’s Labour MP, was in no doubt that a bid should be made, insisting its rows were rivalled only by those in Genoa, Italy.

The MP, who plans to invite culture minister Barbara Follett to view Chester for herself, said: “It’s time for the council to look at the big picture and not simply the short-term financial cost of making an application.

“Having world heritage status is a huge cachet and is certain to increase tourism and income for Chester, as we have seen from the impact of Liverpool’s successful bid.”