The premier horse racing venue hosts the prestigious Grand National every year, but could welcome bows and arrows in five years time.

Competition would take place in the Parade Ring - usually home to horses and jockeys before racing.

Archery is an optional sport for Commonwealth Games organisers and has only appeared twice on the programme.

It made its debut in Australian city Brisbane in 1982 and was last contested in Indian capital New Delhi in 2010.

England top the medal table in the sport, winning eight in the two Games including five golds.

Liverpool is battling Birmingham for the right to be England's bidder for the 2022 Games.

Commonwealth Games England are due to choose between the two contenders next month, with both cities hoping to step in and replace initial host Durban.

The South African city was originally awarded the Games but was then stripped of the honour due to a lack of financial guarantees.

Brian Barwick, the chairman of the Liverpool bid, today talked up the city's chances by telling the Press Association: "I don't want to denigrate anybody else's bid but, if you are hard-nosed about it, where are you going to get the biggest bang for your buck and where will your message go furthest?

"Liverpool is famous for its sport and its culture and, as a port, trade with the world is part of its life.

"We think it is a natural fit for the Commonwealth Games, it would be transformative for the city and going to Liverpool would be a great story for the Games.

"We have an ambitious and dynamic vision and we are confident it is very deliverable. 

"We don't just want to persuade the British government we're the best bet, we want to put on the best ever Commonwealth Games."

The centrepiece of Liverpool's campaign is the riverside regeneration of the city’s Bramley-Moore Dock, the proposed site for Premier League Everton’s new stadium and where a temporary athletics track would be laid during the Games.

A floating swimming pool is another key part of Liverpool's bid.

The 50 metre pool structure, with seating for 5,000 spectators, would be built on the water near Albert Dock.

Anfield, home of five-time European Cup winners Liverpool, would host the rugby sevens and Everton's current stadium Goodison Park would be the venue for boxing.

Manchester, who successfully hosted the Commonwealth Games in 2002, would provide the venue for cycling and cricket.

England are not the only country in the frame to replace Durban.

Victoria in Canada has indicated that it will bid, and Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia is another contender.

Adelaide, Melbourne and Sydney in Australia have all expressed an interest in hosting the Games as well.