Liverpool News

Plans for a new Royal Liverpool hospital, which is set to cost almost £500m, have been unveiled.

A 14-week public consultation over the plans - which propose to replace the current Royal with a new one on the existing site - starts on Monday.

The plans have been drawn up involving 40 senior clinicians, more than 400 hospital staff and 150 patients.

Hospital management said the aim was to create a new world class hospital that local people deserve.

Peter Crouch reflected on the end of his three year career with Liverpool and insisted: "I'm privileged to have played for such a top club."

Liverpool is the host port for the start of The Tall Ships' Races 2008, and from 18 - 21 July the fleet will be berthed in Liverpool.

The large Class A Tall Ships will be berthed in Wellington and Sandon Half Tide Docks. The Class B,C, and D vessels will be berthed in Albert, Canning and Canning Half Tide Dock.

The Tall Ships' Races 2008 will be one of the major highlights for Liverpool's year as European Capital of Culture. From the moment the magnificent ships berth in Liverpool they will experience a welcome and celebration like no other in the world. Don't miss the boat!

Liverpool Summer Pops returns for its eighth year in 2008, Liverpool's European Capital of Culture Year. Attracting audiences of over 100,000 the Pops is held every July, this year in its new home of the Liverpool Echo Arena.

The Summer Pops is developing into one of the premier music festivals in England, and since 2001 the roster of acts reads like a who's who of contemporary music, including Bob Dylan, Paul Simon, Elton John, Eric Clapton, Bryan Adams, Meat Loaf, Ray Charles, Tom Jones, Lionel Ritchie, Tony Bennett, Diana Ross, James Brown, The Who, Paul Weller and many more.

Liverpool is celebrating its most famous sons with its first Beatles Day.

Tribute bands are performing in the city, beginning with early performances for workers and culminating in a concert at Liverpool Arena.

People in the city are being urged to wear "mop-top" wigs, with the profits to go to charity, including Alder Hey Imagine Appeal and Liverpool Unites.

The date was chosen as the anniversary of the day the Beatles returned to Liverpool after conquering the US.

First-time buyers and low income families affected by the credit crunch could soon be helped onto the property ladder by Liverpool City Council.

The authority is considering proposals to offer council-backed loans to people who are having problems getting them from banks or building societies.

The idea, floated by councillor Flo Clucas, will now be the subject of a feasibility study.

She hopes the plan could kick-start the market where prices have slumped.

The city is hosting dozens of free 45-minute Shakespeare performances as part of the Shakespeare in the City festival which ends on Monday.

The abridged plays are being staged by more than 30 youth theatre groups from across the UK.

They are being performed at various venues across Liverpool, including the Walker Art Gallery, Crosby beach and Liverpool One.