The much loved Giants are to return to Liverpool.
The French puppeteers, Royal De Luxe, are to return in 2018 in a series of events that will make 10 years since the city’s European Capital of Culture year.
Liverpool mayor Joe Anderson revealed that discussions are in place to see the return of both the Giants and the Tall Ships.
Anderson told the Liverpool Echo that talks were underway on the “Eighteen for 18 plan” which will “internationally significant events, exhibitions, seasons and performances” throughout the year.
The return of the Giants would see the third time the city has played host to the spectacle.
‘The Memories of August 1914’ event in 2014 celebrated 100 years since the start of World War One and saw 1 Million people view the giants during their time in the city.
Mayor Anderson said: “We want everything we do in 2018 to build on the wonderful work which has taken place in the city since 2008.
“2018 will be the next watershed year in the history of Liverpool and one which will make everyone who lives here proud, and everyone that doesn’t live here wonder why they don’t.
“Our official culture year quite rightly gets huge public and media recognition, but it is the years that followed which I am most proud of, the years which have seen us build on that success.
“We didn’t treat 2008 as a one-off firework display that fizzled out, turning the lights off when everyone had gone home.
“The last four years alone have seen major events generate £177m for the local economy.”
The full 2018 programme is due to be announced in the autumn.