Wirral: Beatleweek expands out of Liverpool for first time

John Lennon and Paul McCartney brave the winds by the River Mersey in 1963

Part of the International Beatleweek Festival will be hosted outside Liverpool for the first time this year.

The annual event attracts bands and fans from abroad to the city.

Two events will be held on August bank holiday weekend in New Brighton where The Beatles performed at the former Tower Grounds venue 27 times.

The Floral Pavilion Theatre's manager Pauline Campbell said: "We are going to turn the whole of New Brighton into The Beatles for a whole weekend."

Hundreds of tourists are expected, and it's hoped the events will help boost income for the theatre.

Tribute bands will perform hits by The Beatles and Rolling Stones at the Floral Pavillion

Wirral Council will subsidise the venue with £500,000 over the next financial year while a third party operator is sought to take over.

Councillors had asked for a review of the Floral Pavilion Theatre after it failed to make savings in recent years, recommending the council cut its subsidy and stopped paying for in-house catering during events.

Plans for the theatre include expanding the range of shows to include Dial M for Mayhem, Cluedo 2 and new musicals.

Speaking at a council meeting, Ms Campbell said her team were building relationships with show companies, adding: "Nobody's going to bring you a show that's going to bring in nearly £300,000 unless they know you and you're a good bet."

At the same meeting, councillors also approved a rule that rural parts of Bebington and Clatterbridge will now be covered under a policy on what people can put in their wood burners as part of plans to cut air pollution.

The proposal was approved subject to any objections received from members of the public.