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Liverpool Giants: Thousands welcome marionettes to city Liverpool Giants: Thousands welcome marionettes to city
(35 minutes later)
Thousands of people have lined Liverpool's streets to welcome three giant marionettes, which will tell the story of the city during World War One.Thousands of people have lined Liverpool's streets to welcome three giant marionettes, which will tell the story of the city during World War One.
The huge figures began the Memories of August 1914 commemoration at 10:30 BST.The huge figures began the Memories of August 1914 commemoration at 10:30 BST.
The show features a grandmother, a little girl and a dog. They will visit many of the city's landmarks, including the Three Graces.The show features a grandmother, a little girl and a dog. They will visit many of the city's landmarks, including the Three Graces.
During Wednesday and Thursday, about 30,000 people visited the grandmother lying as if asleep at St George's Hall.During Wednesday and Thursday, about 30,000 people visited the grandmother lying as if asleep at St George's Hall.
Crowds queued for more than an hour in the heat to view the 25ft (7.5m) marionette.Crowds queued for more than an hour in the heat to view the 25ft (7.5m) marionette.
The girl began to "wake up" at 10:30 and to walk through the city with her dog Xolo.The girl began to "wake up" at 10:30 and to walk through the city with her dog Xolo.
Their route is taking take them from Queensway Tunnel, through the city centre to the Chinese Arch by 13:00.Their route is taking take them from Queensway Tunnel, through the city centre to the Chinese Arch by 13:00.
The grandmother left St George's Hall at 11:00 for a waterfront walk and is expected to arrive at Salthouse Dock by 13:30.The grandmother left St George's Hall at 11:00 for a waterfront walk and is expected to arrive at Salthouse Dock by 13:30.
The giants will then be rested until late afternoon.The giants will then be rested until late afternoon.
The grandmother will be moved again at 16:30 from the Albert Dock and along the waterfront, before heading up Brownlow Hill and Mount Pleasant past the Roman Catholic Cathedral up to Edge Hill and Kensington, eventually arriving at Newsham Park by 19:30.The grandmother will be moved again at 16:30 from the Albert Dock and along the waterfront, before heading up Brownlow Hill and Mount Pleasant past the Roman Catholic Cathedral up to Edge Hill and Kensington, eventually arriving at Newsham Park by 19:30.
The little girl and Xolo leave the Chinese Arch at 17:00 to go through Canning Street past Falkner Square and the Anglican Cathedral and into Edge Hill, arriving at Newsham Park by 19:00.The little girl and Xolo leave the Chinese Arch at 17:00 to go through Canning Street past Falkner Square and the Anglican Cathedral and into Edge Hill, arriving at Newsham Park by 19:00.
Les and Margaret Holmes, of Wallasey, watched the Little Girl and Xolo with their grandchildren Ellis, nine, and Isobella, seven.Les and Margaret Holmes, of Wallasey, watched the Little Girl and Xolo with their grandchildren Ellis, nine, and Isobella, seven.
Mrs Holmes said: "I got a little bit tearful actually - it brings to mind World War One and everything that happened.Mrs Holmes said: "I got a little bit tearful actually - it brings to mind World War One and everything that happened.
"My mum was born in 1921 and my dad in 1922, so it's very poignant.""My mum was born in 1921 and my dad in 1922, so it's very poignant."
Jenny Moran, from the Wirral, was in the crowd with her two-year-old son, Robert, and parents Ruth and Dave Wilcoxon.
Jenny said the weather had been perfect and the spectacle was "giving me goosebumps".
"It's amazing - not only the giants themselves, but the way the crowd have reacted to them is just magical."
Royal de Luxe, the French street theatre company behind the spectacle, said the figures would cover 30 miles in total over the weekend.Royal de Luxe, the French street theatre company behind the spectacle, said the figures would cover 30 miles in total over the weekend.
A section of the event will be dedicated to the World War One Liverpool Pals battalions.A section of the event will be dedicated to the World War One Liverpool Pals battalions.
Hundreds of thousands of people saw the last Giants event in 2012, which commemorated the sinking of the Titanic.Hundreds of thousands of people saw the last Giants event in 2012, which commemorated the sinking of the Titanic.
This year's event, which runs until Sunday, will end with the three giants sailing away on the River Mersey.This year's event, which runs until Sunday, will end with the three giants sailing away on the River Mersey.
BBC News Online will be following the giants through Liverpool with live text coverage, pictures and video of events. For more details, visit the BBC's dedicated Liverpool Giants page.BBC News Online will be following the giants through Liverpool with live text coverage, pictures and video of events. For more details, visit the BBC's dedicated Liverpool Giants page.