GLOBE columnist and part-time Pirate Pete Grant reports parrot fashion from a rum do at the Albert Dock.

IT was a curtain-raiser for this Wednesday's 'Talk Like a Pirate Day.'

Land-lubbers were invited to meet and greet some colourful characters from the buccaneer world.

Pirates at the Dock took over the waterside for two days and proved that Merseysiders love these sea-fearing, swash-buckling festivals of family fun.

Wirral-based musician Mark Sebastian D'Lacey was back for the second year delighting crowds as the guitar–wielding favourite 'Black Rock Pirate.'

Sponsors John West enjoyed watching the spectacle from the National Historic ship the France-Hayhurst tugboat which sported a pirate flag.

Organisers Martin and Marina Blore - of organisers Fit the Bill - were delighted with the turn out featuring pirate fans from both sides of the Mersey including a huge Wirral contingent who gathered for the action-packed occasion.

Martin told the Globe: "It was great to see thousands flock to the dock – many in costume - to watch a battle between the Phoenix Ship a, familiar star of TV, and The Albert Dock based Glacier."

Marina said: "We had pirate jugglers, Mr Smee's Children Party and, of course, the battle to save Megan the Queen of the Mersey Mermaids.

"There was something for everyone of all ages including storyteller Cathy Roberts, who went around the dock telling nautical tales with her pet rodent Pie-rat who also posed for selfies with children."