English mayors have urged the Government to allow councils to introduce visitor levies to boost regional economies, tourism and infrastructure.

In a letter signed by a coalition of English mayors, the group argued that tourism taxes would help ‘empower local places' by contributing to the growth of transport and cultural infrastructure.

The group argued English regions ‘risk being left behind' as Wales and Edinburgh introduce visitor levies of their own.

Liverpool city region mayor Steve Rotheram, who spearheaded the letter, said: ‘A small charge on overnight stays – the kind most of us wouldn't think twice about when travelling abroad – would give us the power to reinvest directly into the things that make our area so special.'