The festival marks the end of International Beatles Week

Hundreds of bands from more than 20 countries including Peru, Mexico, Brazil, Australia were due to play on five stages at the city's Mathew Street Festival.

One couple - who met at the 2001 festival - will get married on Bank Holiday Monday to mark the beginning of the day's entertainment.

Beatles fans Paul Shedden, from Halifax, West Yorkshire, and Gill Westbrook, from the West Midlands, will say "Love Me Do" at the Town Hall.

The festivities will take part in Chavasse Park, Dale Street, Water Street, Castle Street and Victoria Street in the city centre until Monday.

Fab Four tribute

There are also other events at indoor venues across the city.

Highlights include bands paying tribute to The Beatles on Sunday.

The festival is the culmination of International Beatles Week and features Fab Four tribute bands from around the world - including Clube Big Beatles from Brazil, the Australian Beatals and Lenny Pane from Sweden.

Warren Bradley, of Liverpool City Council, said: "This is Europe's biggest free city centre music festivals and I am proud to say that it is held in Liverpool.

"As well as being great entertainment, it shows how cultural events can provide a massive boost to the city's economy, with bars, restaurants and hotels all benefiting from the extra trade.

"The Mathew Street Festival is an event which already has international links, and we must continue to grow it and turn it into a global event as we head towards 2008."