Souvenir hunters are being condemned for "wanton vandalism" after sections of masonry were hacked off Ringo Starr's birthplace.
Fans who are campaigning to halt town hall plans to demolish 9 Madryn Street have been alarmed to find that that chunks of brickwork have been systematically chiselled away in recent days.
The Save Madryn Street (SMS) campaign are calling on council chiefs to ensure that the humble three-bedroomed house is protected from attacks by irresponsible fans.
SMS Chairman Philip Coppell said: "We have support fans all over the world who want to see 9 Madryn Street preserved.
"But a handful of people have engaged in what can only be described as wanton vandalism - taking hammers and chisels to the brickwork to get souvenirs.
"We have had messages of support from all over Europe, Russia, Japan, Canada and America from fans who are horrified that the city can even contemplate demolishing the house.
"Now we find that the attention that has been heaped on it mean that more and more people are visiting Madryn Street.
"But because only two houses are still occupied it means that it is very vulnerable to vandalism.
"The windows and doors are boarded-up but people are taking hammers and chisels to the place and at least ten bricks have been removed.
"It shows that people realise how important the house is and I suppose they think it may be demolished - so they have a go it it themselves.
"But we are appealing to fans not to damage the house so we can have a chance to preserve it for everyone.
"We are seeking meetings with the city council and in the meantime we are calling on the housing department to ensure that number nine is not an open target for vandals."
Local campaigners have also won the backing of the nations SAVE Britain's Heritage Group and Liverpool Civic Society.
They have asked English Heritage to awarded listing building status to 9 Madryn Street and four other properties with Beatles links.
SAVE spokesman Will Palin said: "We would appeal to fans not to damage the brickwork. It should be kept intact.
"We believe there is still a strong hope that Madryn Street can be preserved and it should be there for all Beatles fans to enjoy."
A spokesman for Liverpool City Council joined in the plea for Beatles fans to resist the temptation to bag a brick.
He said if many more souvenir hunters continues to chip away at the masonry of the Victorian propety it could cause the building to become unsafe.
He said: "Clearly some of the bricks have been removed.
"This is almost certainly by souvenir-hunters but they should be aware that if this continues on any scale they could make this property dangerous so we would ask them to desist."
So far Liverpool City Council have received a petition with 102 signatures and 203 individual objections to the planned demolition of the historic Welsh Streets of which Madryn Street is one.
Cathie B, Lakeport New Hampshire USA around 1 year, 4 months ago