BRITAIN: Liverpudlians far and wide were celebrating last night after the city's feelgood factor made it Britain's Capital of Culture.
The Merseyside city was unveiled as the national choice for Britain's turn to host the European Capital of Culture in 2008. Former Beatle Sir Paul McCartney said it was a "much deserved boost to the greatest city in the world".
Liverpool beat competition from five other shortlisted cities to clinch the title, including the favourite, a joint bid from Newcastle and Gateshead.
The special status will create an estimated 14,000 extra jobs for the city, along with £2 billion extra investment and a further 1.7 million visitors. It will also hope the title will bring it the heightened international profile enjoyed by Glasgow, the 1990 Capital of Culture.
There were gasps as Culture Secretary Ms Tessa Jowell unveiled the choice at a news conference in central London, and scenes of jubilation in the winning city. However, it was disappointment for the Newcastle and Gateshead team and the other bidding cities - Birmingham, Bristol, Cardiff and Oxford.
Liverpool, which will celebrate its 800th birthday a year before the cultural jamboree, based its bid on its architecture, the arts, music, sport, humour and on its people, and was at pains to point out that the city was more than just The Beatles, football and Cilla Black.
It is already undergoing massive regeneration with both public and private money - it has received £62.8 million in grants - and has more listed buildings than anywhere outside London.
The judges were impressed with Liverpool's regeneration, with projects such as the controversial 4th Grace - a futuristic new building to take a prominent place on the waterfront skyline - and the £700 million plan to redevelop the city's retail centre.
Sir Jeremy Isaacs, head of the panel of independent judges, said Liverpool "looked good, sounded good, feels good to be in and would deliver a really terrific year". The EU will formally respond to Britain's choice next year, but approval is seen as a formality.