Travel advice ahead of bumper weekend of events

Liverpool welcome Aston Villa to Anfield as they continue their Premier League campaign

Sports fans and weekend day-trippers are being urged to plan their journeys ahead of a bumper day of events and entertainment across Merseyside.

On Saturday, sell-out crowds are expected as England take on Australia in the Rugby League Ashes at the Hill Dickinson Stadium.

Liverpool also welcome Aston Villa to Anfield in the Premier League, while in the FA Cup Tranmere Rovers will play Stockport County.

Elsewhere, thousands of people will visit the city's waterfront as part of the River of Light art festival.

The schedule

• 14:30 - England vs Australia, at the Hill Dickinson Stadium

• 15:00 - Tranmere Rovers vs Stockport County, at Prenton Park, Wirral

• 17:00 - The River of Light art festival, at Liverpool Waterfront

• 20:00 - Liverpool vs Aston Villa, at Anfield

Travel advice

Fans travelling to the England vs Australia match will have three shuttle bus options available to get to the Hill Dickinson Stadium, Liverpool City Region Combined Authority have said.

They are from Liverpool One bus station, Commutation Row by St George's Hall and Bootle Strand Bus Station.

The shuttle from Kirkby bus station will not be running for this fixture.

Merseyrail will be running a 15-minute service on the Southport, Ormskirk, Hunts Cross, and Headbolt Lane lines before and after the event.

Sandhills, Bank Hall and Moorfields are all within walking distance of the stadium on arrival.

Cycling and walking from Liverpool city centre is also an option, with safe walking routes and cycle parking available at the stadium.

Meanwhile, Mersey Ferries will be operating a normal River Explorer service on Saturday, with the last service back to Seacombe departing from the Gerry Marsden Ferry Terminal at Liverpool's Pier Head at 16:00 GMT.