Liverpool City Council has unveiled plans for more than 100 festivals and events in an attempt to establish the city as the UK capital of free culture for 2009.

The programme of events will begin this summer and carry on until Christmas.

Events will include an arts, music and film festival spanning three weekends on the city's world famous waterfront and a brand new film festival called 'AND at FACT'.

The city also plans to host a music event in the Echo Arena: hosting guitarist Eric Clapton and singer Bob Dylan.

Warren Bradley head of Liverpool City Council, said: ''Delivering '08 was a huge challenge but the real test is maintaining momentum and these highlights show it is going to pass it with flying colours.

“To be offering so much free culture, that no UK city is even attempting, speaks volumes for the way the city's cultural sector works together."

The announcement comes six weeks after the council approved an £8.45m injection to maintain 'Capital of Culture' funding levels for two years.

The Council is also investing £2m more into the events than 4 years previously before the Liverpool Culture Company was set up in 2005.