WIRRAL versus Liverpool - welcome to the re-match of the decade.

But this is not a footy game. This is un-civil war.

The smash hit musical Brick Up the Mersey Tunnels is returning to The Royal Court - ten years after it first became Merseyside's answer to the long-running Mousetrap what I called The Scousetrap in my first ever review of this home-grown comedy classic back in 2006.

More than 175,000 people have enjoyed it since - 63,000 from Wirral.

I have reviewed every incarnation since - six sell-out times - and it remains one of the funniest local shows you will ever see.

They should sell tickets for the rehearsals - knowing the cast as I do.

Writers Dave Kirby and Nicky Allt - successful as a double writing partnership - are equally box office winners as solo authors.

Now they have brought back the characters in this much-awaited sequel - The Wrath of Ann Twacky.

It takes place the day after Brick Up 1 finished.

Ann, a blue-rinser, has the gloves off.

And Eithne Browne, who last appeared on the Globe front page in Twopence to Cross the Mersey, will be slipping into her dress, wig and posh accent again.

Eithne has just completed a festive run at the Playhouse in period musical Star and is thrilled to be working again with her Brick Up pals, including Wirral-based Roy Brandon who plays her hen-pecked hubby Dennis and former Brookie star Suzanne Collins as gold-digging cafe owner Maggie.

Court favourites Andrew Schofield, Carl Chase, Francis Tucker and Paul Duckworth return.

Keeping peace in the director's chair is Bob Eaton.

The tunnels are blocked, the Runcorn Bridge is rubble and The Kingsway Three have completed their mission.

But The Wirral are not going to take this lying down according to Ann.

Eithne said: "Ann is like a dormant volcano. She is fierce when she wants to be.

"Wirral strikes back after the original.

"Let's just say audiences will pick up where we all left off.

"As soon as I heard it was coming back I said 'Thank you ... thank you'.

"What a great job working with your friends, having a laugh - on and off stage - and it's a show that people love.

"We all have pride in it - that happens when you get a bunch of diverse creative people together."

Kevin Fearon, executive producer of Liverpool's Royal Court, said: "Our audience are always asking when there will be a sequel to Brick Up The Mersey Tunnels and it's finally here.

"The same characters are involved in this show and there are plenty of great gags and songs, as there were in the original.

"We are all looking forward to having Dickie Lewis, Ann Twacky and the gang on stage again and, judging by the busy box office, the audiences on both sides of the river are too".

So what has happened since the rebellious Kingsway Three bricked up our famous tunnel and cut off the Wirral?

Eithne, who appears on posters waving a Wirral Conservatives flag, says the follow-up will bring fans (more than 63,000 people from Wirral have seen it) up-to-date with the sorry saga.

She added: "There's new songs and a lot of laughter and we also pay homage to an absent friend, the late Herbert the hairdresser - our cat in the show was and always will be called Herbert - in honour of the great man."

The much-loved actress can lend her hand to any subject matter from Moliere to Blood Brothers.  She says she will always be happy taking on the feisty Twacky mantle all over again.

Adopting Ann's voice, Eithne added: "Britain's Brexit is in the news now but, closer to home, it's Ann's campaign that will cause fire works.

"There's nothing like a Twacky scorned."

Brick Up 2: The Wrath of Ann Twacky is at the Royal Court from January 27 to February 25.

Tickets are from 0151 709 4321 or www.royalcourtliverpool.com