The Liverpool Echo has helped to save Merseyside music festival Summer Pops.

The Echo's promise of top-level sponsorship means operator CMP can massively reduce the cost of running the 16-night music extravaganza, which had been cancelled.

Help from the Echo, combined with moving the venue from the Central Docks to Aintree Racecourse, means the Pops will require £100,000 of council funding - £400,000 less than was previously expected.

A new deal is due to be finalised in the next few days after senior Liverpool councillors backed the latest proposal at a private meeting on Friday.

Council leader Warren Bradley told the Echo: "This new proposal means that the Summer Pops will take place in Liverpool's birthday year which is excellent news.

"I am insisting the amount of money we put into it is fixed and there is no extra risk for council taxpayers."

The event has been staged with help from the council since 2000 and has brought a host of international stars to the area.