Cabbies will be asked questions about the city's cultural highlights

Black cab drivers who can tell the Beatles from Beethoven and Milton from Roger McGough are being sought by the city council.

They plan to have an army of cabbies who can impress visitors to the city during its European Capital of Culture year in 2008.

The top ten most cultured cabbies will be recognised with special Capital of Culture 2008 branding for their cabs.

The council wants to find taxi drivers who can talk about the city's theatres, galleries and museums as well as the city's Biennial arts festival.

'City in driving seat'

Councillor Warren Bradley said: "On the road to 2008, we need to make sure Liverpool moves into top gear as a global destination for culture vultures.

"The first impression visitors have of the city needs to be a good one and cab drivers are amongst the people tourists are most likely to meet.

"If we try to make cabbies more aware of Liverpool's rich cultural heritage, we will really put the city in the driving seat with visitors."

Drivers who apply will be asked to answer a series of questions on culture and will then be interviewed by a panel from the Liverpool Culture Company.

Cabbies quizzed

Among the questions are: Name two of Liverpool's National Museums and the name of the new media arts centre on Wood Street.

Cabbies will also be asked why they deserve the title of Liverpool's most cultured cabbie.

Application forms can be obtained from Liverpool City Council licensing officers, the offices of cab branding agency Cabvert Media Solutions, and the Liverpool Culture Company's website.