JIMMY Nail is heading to the Liverpool Playhouse.

The singer-songwriter and actor will play the lead in the production of The Last Ship written by fellow Geordie Sting.

The play, whose score was nominated for a Tony Award, will kick off a UK tour at Northern Stage in Newcastle for four weeks in March of 2018 and then head on to Liverpool on April 9 -14.

The production, which was initially inspired by Sting's 1991 album The Soul Cages and his own childhood experiences, tells the story of a community amid the demise of the shipbuilding industry in Tyne and Wear, with the closure of the town's Swan Hunter shipyard.

The personal tale revolves around Gideon Fletcher who returns home after 17 years at sea.

His local shipyard is closing and no one knows what will happen next.

The Last Ship of the title awaits to be completed as it tow towers over the working class terraces.

Grammy-award winning Sting has written the music and lyrics and features a few of his best loved songs including Island of Souls, All this Time and When we Dance.

Sting is thrilled that The Last Ship is sailing into Liverpool.

He said: "I have great personal memories of this city and, with its rich maritime history and its shipbuilding – not to mention its music – I know that the main themes of the play will resonate strongly with the people there."

Tickets for Liverpool dates will be on sale from this Friday, November 3

They are available from 0151 709 4776.