Liverpool has always been an important place since King John built a harbour on the banks of the liver coloured pool around 1205.

It was busy when cotton was king in the 19th century it was hauntingly beautiful when the trans-Atlantic liners tied up at the Pier Head and rich and famous Americans stayed at the Adelphi before boarding a train at Lime Street and on to London.

It was, however, a place to get out of and not one to explore.

The Mighty Mersey is now clean enough to support lots of fish and seals and the stench of polluted water has gone.

The Beatles and the football clubs attracted visitors, the two cathedrals one Anglican the other Catholic were both completed after the Second World War as German bomb damage was restored.

In the 1980s the Albert Dock shopping centre and museums including the Maritime and the Tate were developed but could these be sustained?

The 2008 celebrations relating to the European Capital of Culture ensured that Liverpool would enjoy a massive face lift, but the secret no is to consolidate this investment.

The list of attractions on both banks is impressive and likely to increase rapidly year by year.

This is particularly true of the Pier Head area which is now developing a berthing area suitable for ocean going cruise ships.

This is bound to be a tourist boost for Lancashire.