Globe columnist Peter Grant watched the unveiling of the Cilla Black statue outside the world famous Cavern Club.

I HAVE attended the unveiling of many statues to Merseybeat stars - Cilla Black's much-awaited tribute in Mathew Street was greeted with a "lorra lorra" love and cheers from family, friends and fans alike.

Her three sons Robert, Ben and Jack Willis, who commissioned the sculpture, were joined by stars of stage and screen.

Wirral Globe:

The crowd waits for the unveiling of the statue of singer Cilla Black

The memorial stands outside the original entrance to the world famous Cavern Club where the late singer and TV presenter worked as a cloakroom girl.

The ceremony also marked the 60th birthday of the nightclub where The Beatles played in their early years.

Son Robert, who was her manager, said: ''We were overwhelmed by the incredible support after our mother died from the country but also, and especially, from the people of this great city.

''It was incredibly comforting and it moved us deeply and gave us hope at a time when we didn't have much hope.

''It was something that none of us will ever forget.''

Pete Price joned Mike McCartney and Andy McCluskey at the official ceremony during the Cavern's ongoing birthday celebrations.

Cilla passed away in August 2015 at the age of 72, and her sons were moved to commission the statue – which is one-and-a-fifth life size – as a "thank you" to the city and Merseyside for the support it gave them during her sad passing.

Wirral Globe:

Our Cilla

Cilla's trademark hair bob and 60s mini-skirt featuring lyrics from her songs now joins John Lennon's much photographed statue by the Cavern pub doorway opposite the club.

Fans from Wirral made the journey to see Cilla's statue.

Janet Jones, 19, from Bebington said:'' I think the Cavern is the right place to have a mark of respect for Cilla. It hits all the right notes for me.

''This is where it started for The Beatles and for her.

''I think the statue captures her sense of fun which she never lost. She was one of us.''

Andrew Finn, 79, from Birkenhead, also gave the statue his thumbs up: ''"Cilla may have lived in Buckinghamshire and Spain but she was always a Scottie Road scouser.

''They say you can take a girl out of Liverpool but you can never take Liverpool out of the girl. She is home here.''

As for me, I interviewed Cilla many times and the statue captures her amazing smile.

She once told me she loved her early Cavern days. I know how proud she would have been today.

I also love one lovely finely-tuned touch at the base of the statue it simply says: ''Made in Liverpool' ' - that sums up our Cilla.