Football legend Gary Lineker will be at the Walkers Stadium today to back Leicester's bid to be part of the 2018 World Cup.

He will be joining representatives of the team which aims to bring the World Cup to Leicester and children at the official launch of the campaign.

The former City and England striker is urging everyone in the county to support Leicester's World Cup aspirations.

Public support will be a major factor for the FA when it comes to choosing which cities will host games if England win the race to stage the 2018 tournament. Lineker said: "As someone who was lucky enough to have played in two World Cups, I know that it's no exaggeration to call the tournament the biggest event in the world.

"Millions of people around the world will be watching – and it would be absolutely brilliant if all those eyes could be on Leicester.

"My home town has proved that it can rise to the big occasion – putting on fantastic national events like the Special Olympics – and I also know the football fans in Leicester are among the most passionate in the country."

Lee Hoos, chief executive of Leicester City Football Club, will host today's event.

He said: "We would love to welcome the World Cup to the Walkers Stadium. If we hear in December that the FA has selected Leicester as one of the host cities, we'd be delighted.

"It would be the icing on the cake for the club as we celebrate our 125th anniversary."

Also at the ceremony will be Lancaster School's under-15 league winning team and members of Folville Junior's team, winners of the under-11 Cup.

Westerby Cup winners Barwell and Unibond League team Quorn have also been invited.