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The Football Association has announced plans to bid to host the 2021 European Women's Championship.

England’s women reached the semi-finals of Euro 2017 before losing to hosts and eventual winners Holland in a game watched by an audience of around 4 million TV viewers in the UK.

The FA will officially enter into the bidding process for the tournament which begins in September, with a final decision due in 2018.

FA chief executive Martin Glenn said the bid reflected English football's commitment to supporting the women's game.

"The Lionesses' performances at the Euros this summer gave the country great pride," he enthused. "It also showed the significant impact that hosting a major European tournament can have on growing and developing women's football.

"Grassroots participation is growing, we think there will be more women playing football next year than playing netball, so it's really growing fast. Hosting the Euros here in England in 2021 at Wembley and all the other great stadia around the country would really give the game another boost."

Sports Minister Tracey Crouch added: “The Lionesses had a great campaign in the Netherlands and made the country proud. The support the team received was phenomenal and the success of the tournament has taken women’s football to new heights.

“Hosting the next European Championships would provide us with a great opportunity to further grow the game and attract the next generation of players and fans. I look forward to working with the FA as they develop the feasibility of their bid.”

England also hosted the Euros in 2005.

In March, the FA launched its "Gameplan for Growth" scheme, saying it aims to double participation and create a successful and long-lasting high quality system for women and girls football.

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