A CAMPAIGN to bring BBC jobs to the north west is being led by a Warrington MP.

And Helen Southworth says having up to 10,000 jobs on the town's doorstep would be a major boost in cracking the corporation's southern England bias.

The Warrington South MP tabled an early day motion at Parliament last week calling on the BBC to choose whether to move to Salford or Manchester.

Bosses at the media giant said last year that they favoured a move out of London for some 10,000 media and new media positions.

But Mrs Southworth said they should choose a site to show their commitment to the move - and help the north west position itself as a global leader in new media.

She added: "This is the best decision for the BBC as well as for the people of our region.

"This is one of those occasions where we are working across the north west for what is best.

"For us here in Warrington, it is just down the road so there will be lots of job opportunities."

More than 70 MPs have already signed up to the motion.

Mrs Southworth said while the BBC investment was likely to be around £150m, the move would encourage other private sector funding, taking the total beyond £500m.

She added: "We have got some incredibly bright people working in this sort of area.

"There has been a focus on London, Oxford and Cambridge for these kinds of jobs. We have the quality of life here and the people interested and skilled.

"We can make this base internationally significant."

gdunning@guardiangrp.co.uk