Liverpool Giants: Marionettes boost city economy by £46m

An estimated 300,000 watched the first day of the show

A show to commemorate World War One that featured giants was one of Liverpool's most successful events, a report said.

Grandmother, Little Girl and Xolo the dog attracted about one million visitors, boosting the local economy by about £46m over five days in July.

The independent report said people from Hong Kong, Australia and France came to see Memories of August 1914.

Mayor of Liverpool Joe Anderson said the show "surpassed expectations".

In 2012, Liverpool's giant Sea Odyssey show attracted about 500,000 visitors over three days, boosting the local economy by at least £12m.

Grandmother, Little Girl and Xolo the dog attracted about one million visitors

Sea Odyssey saw a 30ft (9m) Little Girl, her 50ft (15m) uncle and her pet dog Xolo walk through the city.

Three giants delighted hundreds of thousands of spectators in Liverpool over three days

Mr Anderson said: "We anticipated that the return of the giants would have a massive impact, but this report shows it has surpassed our expectations.

"Memories of August 1914 was an incredibly special event - the creative brilliance of Royal de Luxe brought to life part of this city's history which many had forgotten."

The giants were reunited by the River Mersey for a special parade to mark the end of the three-day show

The marionette show started when Grandmother giant arrived at St George's Hall on 23 July, two days before the three-day walk around the city.

The three-day giants spectacular ended when they sailed out of the city on the River Mersey

The three giants sailed out of the city on the River Mersey in a special leaving ceremony on 27 July.

"But it's not just about the economic benefits - this was the UK's flagship cultural commemoration marking an incredibly important moment in our history," Mr Anderson added.

A Liverpool City Council spokeswoman said the independent report - carried out by market research firm, The Murray Consultancy - on the impact of the event, revealed it was "one of Liverpool's most successful events to date".

The report findings include:

• About 300,000 people who visited were not from the Liverpool area

• About 160,000 visitors who came to watch the giants had never been to the city before

• Other attractions such as Liverpool One shopping centre, National Museums Liverpool and the Albert Dock also saw a boost in trade

• There was an increase of people using public transport