TRACKS Ltd, the world’s leading specialists in Beatles and music memorabilia will be visiting Port Sunlight this weekend for a free valuation event.

Experts will be at the Ashley Room and the Arts Room at Hulme Hall between 10am and 5pm on Saturday, July 9, where they are inviting people to bring any item of Beatles memorabilia along to see if they are sitting on a rarity or collectable piece of musical history.

Chad Craddock, a spokesman for Tracks Ltd, who are based in Chorley, said: “Wirral played a very important part in shaping both The Beatles’ career and their sound.

“Over a four-year period between 1960 and 1964, The Beatles played around 60 gigs in the area and included in these were some of the most historic and exciting concerts in the band’s early career.”

It was in Wirral that The Beatles’ first fan club was formed. Their first publicity photo shots were taken in Wirral and it was also the venue for Ringo Starr’s official debut with the band when he appeared with them on stage at Hulme Hall itself on August 18, 1962.

Chad said: “One of the first Beatles performances in Wirral was a weekly stint at The Institute in Neston, beginning on Thursday, June 2, 1960 and continuing for the next six weeks.

“Two days later, the group, appearing as the Silver Beatles, began a weekly spot at The Grosvenor Ballroom in Wallasey. This lasted for only five weeks until Wallasey Council put a stop to it because of the constant rumpus that was being created by exuberant Merseyside youths!”

Other Wirral highlights in The Beatles’ early career were the now legendary Operation Big Beat concerts promoted by Sam Leach and held at New Brighton’s Tower Ballroom.

The Beatles played at the Tower 27 times and even performed to their largest audience on mainland Britain there during the early days.

n For more information on the valuation event call 01257 269726.