A mammoth party featuring one of the world's biggest fireworks displays will be held to celebrate Liverpool's 800th anniversary next year. Andthe city is looking to the internet to help fuel a global celebration.

The centrepiece of the 800th anniversary is a four-day party extravaganza over August Bank Holiday, to mark the granting of Liverpool's first charter, by King John on August 28, in 1207.

The 800th birthday weekend will centre The Mathew Street Festival (Fri-Mon, August 24-27); an 800th birthday service at St Nicholas Parish Church to be follwoed by a historical pageant through the city centre; and a huge fireworks display. Communities will be offered kits to host their own street parties and all major public squares will host festivities on August 28 from 12noon to 3pm.  

Other highlights will include the reopening of the Small Concert Room in St George's Hall on St George's Day after a £23m makeover.

Celebrations will focus on achievements in public health, medicine and transport to the invention of Meccano and the rise of Beatlemania. Another key theme of 2007 is the 200th anniversary of the Abolition of Slavery, with National Museums Liverpool opening a new £10m International Slavery Museum on August 23rd.