LIVERPOOL will today be handed the chance to help run inter-city rail services and decide bids for major roads – but only if it opts to be run by an elected mayor.

A "city deal"– to be offered to England's eight key provincial centres only – could also deliver the freedom to run job centres, welfare-to-work programmes and regeneration schemes.

Nick Clegg, the Deputy Prime Minister, will vow that the radical devolution will bring to an end decades of big cities "going on bended knee to Whitehall".

However, it was clear Liverpool would only receive the full swathe of powers if it votes “yes” to having a directly-elected mayor, in next May's referendum.

Speaking to the Daily Post, cities minister Greg Clark said only cities with "strong leadership and a clear mandate" – code for a mayor – would enjoy the full devolution on offer.

He said: "It is clear that having a directly-elected mayor provides that kind of visible leadership that is necessary to be able to conclude these deals."

Yesterday's announcement appeared to settle, finally – after many months of uncertainty – the question of what powers are actually on offer if Liverpool votes “yes”, including to:

Commission regional rail services – such as on the key TransPennine line;