The aspirations for this port city in the North-East of England are contained in a "city plan" which sets out key projects for Sunderland up to 2030, the Sunderland Echo reports.

The Council hopes to lead on a bid to host the Commonwealth Games from 2034 onwards and develop the city’s status as a "centre of excellence in sport".

The next Commnonwealth Games is due to take place in Birmingham in 2022 - the first time they have been hosted in England since Manchester 2002.

They were also held in Glasgow in 2014.

Council Leader Graeme Miller, told the Sunderland Echo: "This is part of our vision to be a dynamic, vibrant and healthy city and grow our status as an events city, showcasing Sunderland’s capability for delivering a robust and diverse programme of events.

"It builds on Sunderland’s strong reputation as a city with a track record of delivering first-class events, which in 2018 resulted in a £24million boost for the city’s economy from the Tall Ships, Airshow and Illuminations and Festival of Light.

"These ambitious plans are still in their very early stages as much of the detail is still to be released from the Commonwealth Games Federation regarding the bidding process for the 2034 onwards Commonwealth Games.

"But the key stimulus that drives the ambition is to expand and enrich the programme of events in the city."

There will be plenty of people who will scoff at the ambitious plans of Sunderland, which has a population of 175,000 and is located 10 miles southeast of Newcastle upon Tyne. 

“Why shouldn’t Sunderland be looking at hosting the Commonwealth Games?" Miller said. 

"I think it shows we’re a modern 21st century city with aspirations to be hosting events like this that will showcase Sunderland to the world."

Last year, Sunderland boxers Pat and Luke McCormack won respective gold and bronze medals Commonwealth Games held on Australia’s Gold Coast.

At the Council’s Scrutiny Coordinating Committee  earlier this month, Councillors raised concerns about the city plan due to pressures around Government funding and the outcome of Brexit.

Colin English said: "I think when producing something like this we need to manage people’s expectations and put our cards on the table.

"If we don’t live up to these aspirational plans we will get the blame, and quite frankly there’s so many different factors, mostly external, which we have no control over."

The 2026 Commonwealth Games are expected to go back to Australia - with Adelaide having already emerged as the early favourite - while the 2030 edition is set to be awarded to Canada to mark the 100th anniversary of the first event in Hamilton.