We'll be world's City of Music! Bid to hit the right note with exclusive group.

Byline: JADE WRIGHT

LIVERPOOL today announced its bid to become England's first UNESCO City of Music.

The city - birthplace of The Beatles and official World Capital of Pop boasting a record 56 No1 songs - is confident it can convince the world body to grant the prestigious title.

Liverpool is already a UNESCO World Heritage City and last year won a national public vote for UK's Most Musical City. Now it will stake its claim to join an exclusive club of just four other UNESCO world cities of music. Led by Liverpool City Council, in partnership with the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic, the bid will be officially triggered by a letter to UNESCO from Liverpool's Lord Mayor.

The first element of the bid will be to undertake a four-month mapping exercise of Liverpool's musical status before it officially hands in its bid in Spring 2010.

Key organisations will form a steering group to outline the city's musical aims.

Liverpool City Council leader Councillor Warren Bradley, who will chair of the UNESCO bid steering group, said: "Music is in Liverpool''s blood and its influence has been truly global from the days of sea shanties and Merseybeat to classical and dance - it was a fundamental reason why we were European Capital of Culture.

"The city today has a phenomenal pool of talent and its exciting that now, more than ever, it has the venues, the studios, the promoters and the festivals to nurture new ideas and diverse artists who will carry on Liverpool''s best musical traditions.

"To be a UNESCO city of music would be a massive boost to the city's international cultural profile and give the city a focus, like in '08, to develop our music offer at all levels for the benefit of musicians and music lovers alike.'' Unlike Capital of Culture the UNESCO City of Music lasts indefinitely.

The city's bid already has support from the music industry with the steering group made up of influential players across the city.

Chief Conductor with the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Vasily Petrenko said: "I don't think there is any other city in England that understands the power of music more than Liverpool.

"It has fantastic tradition of producing great music and great musicians of every kind and is still doing it today. To be a UNESCO City of Music will really help to promote Liverpool as one of the world's music capitals."

The news comes on the day Kasabian close Liverpool Music Week - Britain''s biggest indoor winter music festival.

Cream CEO and joint director of the Liverpool Music Week festival James Barton said: "I am really honoured to be invited onto the team that will steer the bid to become UNESCO city of music.

"I believe that music has always been central to Liverpool life, which is why winning the title would be so exciting.

"Not only would this accolade recognise the already world-famous music scene within Liverpool, it will also act as a focus for the further development of music in the city for many years to come.''

CAPTION(S):

LEGEND: Paul McCartney is part of Liverpool's rich musical heritage THRIVING: Pink, Kasabian and Beyonce have all played in Liverpool