BBC Radio Merseyside's Sean Styles asks why you love living in Liverpool?

What is it about Merseyside that makes you Love Where You Live?

Does the sight of the Liver Birds ignite your scouse identity? Perhaps “Paddy’s Wigwam” or the Anglican Cathedral fill you with awe? Do the pillars at St George’s Hall make you swell with pride?

Or maybe it’s a simple park bench or view from the top of a hill that reminds you what it is to feel at home, to Be A Part Of It.

This month, BBC Radio Merseyside is asking everyone across the region (Liverpool, Wirral, St Helens, Runcorn, Southport and beyond!) to tell them exactly why you Love Where You Live.

For local comedian and BBC Radio Merseyside DJ, Sean Styles, it is the people of Merseyside that have kept him in Liverpool for 50 years – still living in the same house in which he was born - in Kirkby.

Sean said: “I’ve lived in the same house all my life.

“I have never wanted to move, although I’ve had the opportunity. It is a simple terraced house but why would I move? All my memories are there.

“And I have such a great rapport with my neighbours. Whenever I’m away, which I have been many times throughout my career as a comedian, they keep an eye on the place for me.”

“At the moment on BBC Radio Merseyside we are asking everyone what it is that makes you love where you live.

“It is the people of Liverpool that make me love living here, being “a part of it.”

“The people keep you funny, everyone is always ready to make a joke and have a laugh with you.

“I’ve always surrounded myself with funny people, and we love to demonstrate our wit here in Liverpool.

“I think it is the docks, people in Newcastle and Aberdeen are very similar. It’s growing up around the dockside, getting through tough times, it somehow brings out the best in our characters.

“The cheeky accents help too. We have a true sense of self-deprecation that is so important in comedy.

“As a comedian, it is fantastic because you never have to worry that your audience won’t get the gag in Liverpool.”

For the next few weeks, BBC Radio Merseyside are inviting everyone to celebrate what it is to be from Merseyside, to take a few moments to stand back and feel proud of our region.

Famous guests on Sean’s show this week have picked their favourite Merseyside spots including psychic Derek Acorah, (The Albert Dock), actress Pauline Daniels (The Liverpool Playhouse), Hairdresser Herbert Howe (The Adelphi Hotel) and Brookside actor Mark Moraghan (Anfield).

Sean Styles describes the site of the Liverpool Garden Festival, which has sadly been left derelict for years, alongside Otterspool promenade.

He said: “We can take so much for granted here in Liverpool.

“We have such a rich heritage, you almost become blind to it over time.

“People ignore things, not because we aren’t proud but because it is always there and you tend to ignore it.

“We become blind to the beauty.

“The Love Where You Live campaign is to give everyone a chance to appreciate what we have, and be aware of it.

“Everyone has their favourite spot.

“We are spoilt for choice in Liverpool. I could pick a lot of places.

“Obviously there is my beloved Goodison Park but for me it is the Liverpool Garden Festival site.

“I was a steward at the Garden Festival site over one long hot summer in 1984.

“It stirs up a lot of memories about a really, really happy time in my life that set me up and gave me the encouragement to be an entertainer.

“I have wonderful memories of that summer.”

Sean Styles is now asking YOU to tell him where it is that holds a special place in your heart, and why.

The entries will be brought together to be included in a unique ‘style guide’ to Merseyside that will go on the BBC website and be broadcast on Radio Merseyside on May Bank Holiday.

You can nominate your favourite place and send photos to illustrate it to Sean Styles on www.faceboook.com/pages/Sean-Styles or email: liverpool@bbc.co.uk

Or, come and meet him at one of Radio Merseyside’s roadshows on: Saturday 6th March at Bootle New Strand Shopping Centre from 10am-4pm and Saturday, 13th March at The Pyramids Shopping Centre, Birkenhead from 10am-4pm.

As well as the chance to meet Sean other Radio Merseyside presenters will be there at various times during the day including Billy Butler and Roger Phillips.

Shoppers can also have a go at becoming a virtual TV or radio presenter. The BBC’s interactive TV experience will give people the opportunity to ‘present’ a 30 second weather report, reading from a script, while their image is projected onto a TV screen. Or visitors can use the interactive radio kit to make their own jingle and take it away on CD.

Tune in to hear Sean on BBC Radio Merseyside each weekday morning from 10am to 12noon on 95.8FM & DAB or on iPlayer.

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