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Tuesday, August 24th 2010 06:00

The city's 2018 World Cup Bid Team are heading to London to meet with representatives from the international football governing body.

It was announced earlier this year that Bristol had been chosen as one of the 12 host cities in England's bid for the tournament in 2018.

FIFA representatives are now in the country to see if England's got what it takes to hold the games.

They started with a tour of Wembley yesterday but today, with just 100 days to go until they make the decision, the Bristol Bid Team will travel to London to present what Bristol has to offer as a host city.

But hopes of being able to hold international games during the tournament here in a new stadium have hit a set back. Bristol City was planning on building a new 30,000 seater stadium at Ashton Vale.

However, in order to build the new ground the club needed to sell their current home at Ashton Gate to Sainsbury's, but the supermarket was denied planning permission by Bristol City Council last month.

Its understood talks are ongoing between all parties to find a solution so the club can go ahead with the plans.

But Tom Scott from the Bristol Bid Team said the city still has a lot to offer: "Bristol's got a number of elements it can be very proud of. The cultural diversity of the city as well as the transport links. I think we've very lucky a smaller city in terms of international football but looking at us geographically in terms of the UK and the investment that's hopefully being put in to football in the next couple of years. We're in a really strong position and we can show FIFA that."

As the team head to the capital to do their bit, back here we're being encouraged to wear out football team shirts to work today.

It's hoped thousands of people take up the idea to show their support for the bid.

Staff at Bristol pie makers, Pieminister are taking part. Director Tristan Hogg said: "It's a little bit of fun and it gets everyone going, but I think every little bit helps. The more people can see the country is up for getting it, as in the average person, the stronger the bid."

He added: "If it does come here, we'll sell a lot more pies as well, as football and pies go so well together."

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