 LIVERPOOL is to appoint a Beatles officer to exploit the worldwide potential of the Fab Four for the city. Lib Dem council leader Mike Storey revealed the plan while unveiling the Yellow Submarine public artwork at Liverpool John Lennon airport yesterday. More than 80 applications from all over the world have already been processed. Cllr Storey said: " The Beatles are important to this city and I don't think we realise the relevance they have to this city and region. "We should be more positive in the development of the Beatles because people flock to Liverpool from all over the world. "Other cities would give anything for this opportunity." He said the idea ofa Beatles officer to coordinate events and opportunities was first mooted duringa civic visit to New York seven years ago. "It didn't happen then, but now we are going to make it happen." A group of organisations linked to Beatles tourism including Liverpool John Lennon airport, and the National Trust, which owns John Lennon's childhood home Mendips, will be co-ordinated by the new officer. The role will bea council appointment and will work within the Liverpool Culture Company. Culture Company head of tourism Keith Blundell said he had sifted through the applications from Merseyside, the UK and overseas. "We've had a lot of help from national tourism bodies who see this as hugely important for Britain, not just Liverpool." He said an appointment could be announced in time for next month's Mathew Street Festival over August Bank Holiday. The position of livein curator for Mendips also attracted applications from around the world. | 
