Work has officially started on the £300 million Liverpool 2 project - an important deep water container terminal.

Dredging is now underway, as construction specialists look to create a 16.5-metre berthing pocket that will enable the north-west port to accommodate some of the world's largest vessels.

Bosses at Peel Ports - the firm behind the massive development - said the terminal would be hugely beneficial to Liverpool's economy, while its other investments along the Manchester Ship Canal would also stimulate trading activity.

With this in mind, it was fitting that Kenny Dalglish and Sir Bobby Charlton - two men who hold legendary status in Liverpool and Manchester respectively - were on hand to launch the new project.

Liverpool has always been one of the UK's most important import and export hubs and Gary Hodgson, managing director of Peel Ports Mersey, said this new project is the culmination of several years' hard work.

"This is private sector investment in the nation's infrastructure, making the UK even more competitive internationally," he remarked.