Museum celebrates 'inspirational black scousers'

The Real Thing, the first all-black British band to have a UK number one single, feature in the tour

Former world boxing champions and the members of a 1970s band are among black people from a city being celebrated in a new museum tour.

The Museum of Liverpool is staging a series of tours titled Inspirational Black Scousers as part of the city’s Black History Month programme of events.

Boxer John Conteh, band The Real Thing and music promoter Lord Woodbine, who helped shape The Beatles in their early career, will all feature.

Chris Kerfoot, of the Museum of Liverpool, said it was a "wonderful opportunity" to shine a "special spotlight" on instrumental black people from Liverpool.

Memorabilia on display includes stage outfits, old records and covers with images of artists such as The Real Thing

"There are so many inspirational black scousers," he said

The museum's participation programme manager added: "We celebrate the contribution of black scousers all year round, but it is a joy to throw a special spotlight on their stories during Black History Month in our free gallery tours."

"There's so many different stories here," Mr Kerfoot told BBC North West Tonight.

"Some you will have heard of and some you may have never heard of before."

Liverpool's sporting legends, including heptathlete Katarina Johnson-Thompson, politicians such as John Archer - who become the first black mayor in London in 1913 - and Gee Walker, who set up the Anthony Walker Foundation in 2006 after her son was murdered in a racist attack, are among those featured alongside a well-respected carter from the city.

The late carter Dick Benson was well respected as the "go-to-guy" to teach people about the trade

"Dick Benson was not just a carter; he trained others how to be a carter.

"He was the go-to-guy to learn their trade," adding he mentored many young carters during his long career.

"He faced challenges [and] discrimination as a member of the black community but he was respected and loved by many because he taught them the ways of the cart."

James Clarke, the first black man to have a street named after him in Liverpool, is also part of the tour.

He was a strong swimmer and best remembered for saving lives, Mr Kerfoot said.

He was born in Guyana and arrived as a ship stowaway in Liverpool aged 14 and later adopted by a family on Scotland Road.

He rescued a number of children who got into difficulties swimming in the Leeds to Liverpool Canal and received several medals for his bravery. He also taught children to swim.

Derry Wilkie, singer of Derry and the Seniors which became the first Liverpool beat group to record an LP, is among those honoured from music as well as The Real Thing who were the first all-black British band to have a UK number one single.

Tours take place at 11:00 and 13:30 BST on 10, 16, 17 and 23 October.