JUST when you think "does Merseyside really need another Beatles monument?", the answer is a resounding and fab “yeah yeah yeah”.

I was stopped in my tracks this week when I saw the new statue to the group which is situated at the World Unesco site at Liverpool’s Pier Head.

I recall the first Beatles statue at Cavern Walks which I found lacking in character.

It was unveiled by our very own Mike McCartney, who at the time asked with a wry smile "Which one is Paul?".

Now there is no mistaking Macca the elder as he is wonderfully immortalised with John, George and Ringo with not a guitar in hand or drumstick in sight – just four lads walking to their destiny.

Already the new statue by Chris Butler, which was unveiled by John's sister Julia Baird and is situated near the ferry terminal, is a worldwide hit judging by social media response.

The life-like 1.2 tonnes creation is already a big attraction with day trippers and hordes of tourists paying their respects and taking selfies.

The sculpture looks as though the Beatles are actually heading towards a ferry across the Mersey – after all they played countless gigs in and around Wirral.

So full credit to Bill Heckle of the Cavern Club who instigated this magnificent tribute to the Moptops.

It is now my number one favourite statue.

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WIRRAL has so much to be proud of.

So why not let everyone in the country know about it.

This column has said it before and it will continue to promote all that is good about the area.

The Globe consistently features people who make a difference Most recently, a nationally recognised nurse and a teacher.

We should be proud of the ever inspiring Wirral Hospice St John's in its 20th year.

This Globe-backed Light Up A Life is one of the most emotional events I have ever attended.

A lot of love in each and every one of the 10,000 lights.

Long may this great institution continue. On the celebrity front Sir Iain Botham at 60 has raised so much money for charity.

In television Paul O’Grady and Paul Hollywood are real role models.

Daniel Craig is also a global superstar.

And OMD, who will be playing the Royal Albert Hall next summer, deserve respect from Wirral for their outstanding contribution to music.

While in literature writer Ramsey Campbell (as exclusively revealed in this paper) was given a lifetime achievement award for his work.

In 2016 let’s see more Freedom of the Borough citations.

It would put the spotlight on all that is positive.

The recent debacle over a man fined for dropping a bookmark gave Wirral national media coverage for the wording reasons. We were a laughing stock.

Let’s celebrate the real wonder of Wirral and make it a part of Phil Davies’ vision for 2020 to recognise them.

* I HEARD that an attempt to create a Wirral Film Office has fallen on deaf ears.

What a missed opportunity.

This area has some of the most photogenic, picturesque, architecturally beautiful areas in the country and diverse acting talent and writers and musicians.

It is sad that there are so few picture credits to Wirral’s history.

Most film lovers remember The Magnet and location shots for Chariots of Fire. What a great way to bring jobs here.

Liverpool Film Office is thriving.

So how about liaising with them to form the Merseyside Film Office?

Writer Marc Gee who wrote the hit Al’s Lads and theatre director Saul Murphy are two ambitious figures who want to see it become a reality.

So too does The Inferno (I am available for extras work).

We should welcome the words “Clapperboard... Action” in Wirral in the future.

* AND finally ... food for thought.

Following on from the I’m a Celebrity jungle cuisine challenge it seems our eateries have caught the bug. Roasted crickets will soon be offered in some restaurants.

This delicacy has forced one joke to be re-written: "Waiter, there’s a fly in my soup."

"I know sir, everyone has one."

Peter Grant