THE red iron gates of Strawberry Field were shut forever yesterday as the world-famous children's home closed down after 68 years.
An emotional day marked the end of the home which inspired The Beatles' 1967 hit Strawberry Fields Forever.
Yesterday the staff and children shed tears as they said goodbye to what had been their home for years in Beaconsfield Road, Woolton.
Bedrooms were left empty, with just a few signs that the centre once looked after scores of children. In one bedroom, one last toy, a basketball, remained with a name tag still on the door.
All the other toys and games have been divided between the children and each child cared for by the home has been given a new bike.
Pictures of former residents enjoying ice-cream on a summer holiday adorned the walls last night and paintings inspired by The Beatles connection stood over-looking children savouring the last hours of play in the main lounge area.
Assistant manager Peter Burns said that losing the home was like losing a close family connection.
The father-of-three will continue to work in the building until August while he seeks future employment.
Mr Burns said: "It is a very sad day for all the staff as it is the last day that the children will cease to be a working children's home.
"It has been a very emotional time for all the children and staff. I can't praise the staff enough. They have been 100% committed to the children and the home over the years - so much so that it has become like another family for them.
"The quality of care here was second-to-none. What is so lovely is that siblings have come to us as a unit with maybe four or five brothers or sisters."
No decision has yet been made on the future of the building, which was donated to the Salvation Army in 1936.
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