THE battle to safeguard North East tourism jobs continued today as businesses and MPs nationwide united to fight Liverpool's expansion plans.

Campaigners in Liverpool yesterday handed over to the Department for Transport a 2,500-strong petition calling for restrictions limiting the number of ships visiting the city’s cruise terminal to be lifted. But Port of Tyne and other UK ports would lose out if the Liverpool Cruise Terminal, built with £20m of public money, is allowed to bid for more cruises.

When Liverpool received the money for new facilities in 2007 it was told that to meet strict state aid rules it would be limited to the number of turnaround cruises – those which start in the city and pick up passengers – it could manage.

Merseyside port bosses tried to change these rules in 2009 but were told it would be unfair and damage trade in places such as Tyneside.

Turnaround cruises contribute some £33m a year to the North East economy and underpin 1,400 jobs.

A Parliamentary early day motion urging the Government to rethink the restrictions was backed by some North East MPs, although these have now promised to stand by the region as it puts counter-pressure on the DfT.

Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland MP Tom Blenkinsop has withdrawn his name from the EDM.

And Jarrow MP Stephen Hepburn lent his support to the South Tyneside based Port of Tyne.

He said: “The Liverpool port bosses have a job to do in promoting their interests, which is fair enough, but they cannot be allowed to go back on the binding promises that were a condition of state investment there.

“My role, along with other MPs and civic leaders, is to stand up for our own interests and to defend the many jobs that come with the cruise ship trade.”