Liverpool Central Station to get Liver Bird sculpture

The bird will greet visitors at Liverpool Central Station

Liverpool is to get a new sculpture of its iconic symbol, the Liver Bird.

The 6ft (1.8m) statue will stand at the entrance to Liverpool Central Station from early 2015.

Sculptor Rick Myers said it would celebrate "the new Liverpool and the massive number of firsts that have been achieved here".

Councillor Nick Small said the bird would be "a fantastic way of celebrating the city's proud history... seen by up to 50,000 people a day".

The statue will be dedicated to former Commercial District Partnership chief executive Paul Rice, who died in 2012.

The current chief executive Bill Addy said it was "fantastic to see that Paul, who did so much to improve and promote Liverpool, is to be remembered at a high profile city centre location in such a striking fashion".

"The fact that it's the emblem of the city and his beloved football club - his two great passions - is a fitting tribute."

Liver Birds Inc director Arthur Johnson said he expected the sculpture to be "a popular photo spot for tourists, football fans and shoppers".

The Liver Bird

• A seal from 1352 depicts the symbol of Liverpool as a bird holding something in its beak

• Over the years, it became the Liver Bird, an eagle mixed with elements of a shoveler, spoonbill and cormorant

• The largest, best known Liver Birds stand at 18ft (5.5m) on top of the Royal Liver Building on Liverpool's waterfront

• The bird also features on the city's logo, the badge of Liverpool FC and the crests of both the University of Liverpool and Liverpool John Moores University

Source: Museum of Liverpool