Liverpool Football Club's anthem You'll Never Walk Alone has inspired the Reds to sporting triumphs in the past.

Now the city has unveiled a brand new anthem of its own which, it is hoped, will lead to more European glory - though this time away from the sporting arena.

The rap anthem is the latest idea in the campaign for the city to win the European Capital of Culture title for 2008.

The Liverpool Culture Anthem was performed by the Love and Joy choir, along with celebrities from TV show Hollyoaks, at its debut performance at the city's town hall on Monday night.

Click here to read the anthem's lyrics

The rap aims to express the spirit and unique personality of Liverpool, as well as highlighting the major strides the city has made in recent years.

Local people are being encouraged to learn the lyrics and use the song.

Council leader Mike Storey said: "Culture in Liverpool is not something that exists only in our galleries, museums and performance venues. It lives in the hearts of the people.

"The city is already famous for its anthems the world over and we hope the Culture anthem will become just as recognised as You'll Never Walk Alone and We Shall Not Be Moved."

The world's fastest speaker Steve Woodmore was also on hand to see if any of the gathered dignitaries could recite it more quickly than he can.

Brewing success

They may have had some difficulty - he is recorded in the Guinness Book of Records as being able to speak at 600 words per minute.

The city has also brewed up a culture bid beer to try to win the culture capital title.

In its latest issue, Tatler magazine renames the city "Livercool" and says it is the hippest place in the UK.

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