City plaque tribute to rocket man

Stephenson was the "Michael Schumacher" of his day

A tribute to one of the pioneers of the locomotive engine has been unveiled in Liverpool.

Former city resident George Stephenson was the chief engineer of the Liverpool to Manchester railway, the world's first inter-city line.

More famously he invented the Rocket engine, which amazed crowds when it reached speeds of 29mph in 1829.

A heritage plaque has been erected outside his former home on Upper Parliament Street.

Council leader Mike Storey said: "George Stephenson was a prodigious engineer who helped change the face of the locomotive industry and put the Liverpool and Manchester Railway on the right track for success.

"He was the Michael Schumacher of his day, racing breathtakingly fast machines that would attract the crowds."

The plaque is part of the Connecting Liverpool scheme, the city's new £1m network of street signs.