LIVERPOOL faces a multi-million pound bill to get its historic monuments and public art up to scratch for European Capital of Culture year in 2008.
An audit of more than 150 public and private statues, monuments and fountains by the council estates office found at least half need major restoration, while another 40% should be cleaned or have minor repairs done over the next five years.
The council is determined to put the city's heritage at the centre of the Capital of Culture celebrations and Liverpool's 800th anniversary a year earlier.
Now it hopes to secure European cash to help get the restoration work done and it is enlisting public help to make sure no landmark is overlooked.
Liverpool's vast collection of public art, including pieces like SuperLamb-Banana and the Eleanor Rigby statue, has been described as second only to London, while it is believed to have one of the UK's greatest collections of equestrian statues.
Council leader Mike Storey said: "We have a responsibility, not just as a city council, but as a community, to make sure this public art is passed on to future generations.
"It is not just for 2007-8, it is going to be ongoing.
"A bid for European Objective 1 funding is going to be made in the spring.
"And we want to hear from people about those monuments, statues and little hidden fountains in their neighbourhoods."
The move has been backed by Labour leader Joe Anderson, who says the council will look for funding from a host of bodies including the Heritage Lottery Fund.
He said: "It's most important that our monuments and statues are brought up to scratch and that we have to get it right."
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