Main stage is sought for festival

Tourists from across the world attend the festival

A popular music festival in Liverpool is to go ahead without its usual main stage - because of construction work.

The Matthew Street festival which takes place over the August bank holiday weekend, will no longer have its traditional stage at the Pier Head.

In recent years the main stage in front of the three Graces has played host to artistes such as The Stranglers, McFly and Tony Christie.

Negotiations are underway for headline acts to front this year's festival.

Liverpool City Council's special events manager Lee Ford said a number of alternative sites for the main stage are now being investigated.

The council is now awaiting reports from safety officers as to the suitability of potential locations.

Last year more than 75 bands performed over the four-day extravaganza.