IN a forgotten corner of the city , Liverpool's most unlikely tourist attraction is slowly but steadily becoming a reality.
After years of meetings, surveys and lobbying, today sees the official launch of a massive regeneration of St James' cemetery, and organisers hope that the area will become an integral part of the city's heritage.
The cemetery, which is situated next to the Anglican cathedral, is the final resting place of around 57,000 local people - a greater capacity than Everton football stadium - including many prominant figures from the city.
For today only, however, St James' will play host to a large number of new guests including the President of the Conservation Foundation, Sir David Bellamy, as lectures are given on new ideas for the venue.
The two elderly great-grandchildren of ex- Prime Minister William Gladstone are also due to attend. All those invited will be given a detailed tour of the many nooks and crannies in the gardens, and will be going in groups around the Oratory - a building that is an exact replica of a Greek original and will perhaps be turned in to a visitor centre. They will then view St James' from the Oratory site before moving on to the cathedral.
Plans for the redevelopment of the area, which until recently was littered with syringes and rubble, began in 2001, and Robin Riley, spokesman for the Friends of St James', hopes that it will eventually be a haven for all sorts of different people.
"We must think of education, but also tourism because St James' has got a great location next to both the cathedral and the Oratory" says Mr Riley.
"We also want St James' to become a general facility for the people of Liverpool themselves, as it is something that the city should be proud of.
"When we have finished we hope it will be a lovely place to sit and relax under the trees on nice days. This is just the ideal place to bring children but at the moment, like many other places, it's not at all safe enough."
