WIRRAL'S U-Boat Story welcomed its latest addition, the new 'Conning Tower'.

It was lifted into place by a crane at the £5m attraction in Woodside to give visitors the experience of being in a real submarine.

U-534 was rescued from an uncertain future by Merseytravel after her previous home, the Historic Warships Museum in Birkenhead, went into voluntary liquidation.

Merseytravel stepped in when the U-Boat was in danger of being sold for scrap.

And since opening in 2009, the U Boat Story has attracted more than 75,000 people and achieved several prestigious awards.

Due to high public demand, Merseytravel worked to create a massive replica of its original conning tower.

Built in Salford, it will even feature a periscope to allow visitors look out over to Liverpool.

Curator Chris Ince said: "It is a very exciting time for us and for the public.

"Visitors wanted to be able to go up into the tower and that will now be possible. It is safely in place and looks great."

U-534 was sunk after refusing to surrender in 1945. She had a crew of 52 men, all of whom escaped and 49 survived.

The vessel lay on the sea bed for nearly 41 years until she was discovered and salvaged in 1986.

Transported to Birkenhead in 1996, the sub formed part of the Warship Preservation Trust collection until the museum closed in 2006.

In 2007, Merseytravel announced it had acquired the submarine to display at Woodside Ferry Terminal.

For technical reasons and to help transportation to its new site, the vessel was cut into five sections, two of which were subsequently re-joined.