Anecdotes from more than 60 former regional daily staffers feature in a new book conceived over a series of reunions.

Posts & Echoes recalls stories from journalists working on the Liverpool Daily Post and Echo between the 1960s and 1980s.

Stories recalled by the journalists in the book include coverage of John Lennon’s murder by the newspapers, the Toxteth riots, Liverpool FC’s series of European Cup wins and a visit to Liverpool by Mother Theresa.

Other tales include Paul McCartney covertly asking for advice on opening his Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts, Steven Spielberg coming into the office whilst looking for film locations and Stephen Sondheim also being there following a performance of Sweeney Todd at the Playhouse.

The idea of the book was first touted at reunions co-ordinated by former Post and Echo staffer, Andrew Morgan, and photographer, Richard Williams, which have been held every couple of years in Liverpool’s Chinatown, with the list of contacts steadily rising to its current figure of 132.

The book was mooted two years ago and it spread around the world, with stories and pictures pouring into Gordon Morris, former Daily Post sub-editor, who had agreed to edit the book.

In the end, a halt was called at 64,000 words.

Ex-staffers also donated more than £2,000 needed to hire the best people to produce the book – including designer Michelle Pegg, proof-reader Tess Cooper, and Cambrian Printers, in Aberystwyth.