LIVERPOOL.- City cabbies are getting tours of Liverpool museums and art galleries in a bid to improve their cultural credentials.

National Museums Liverpool is staging a series of “Cultural Cabbie” sessions for drivers to get clued-up on the arts.

Initially drivers will visit the Walker Art Gallery to learn about the venue's most famous paintings. Tours are then planned for all National Museums Liverpool attractions including the Merseyside Maritime Museum and World Museum.

The move is designed to help cabbies provide expert advice to tourists and visitors.

Claire Rider, from National Museums Liverpool, said: “We were approached by cabbies who wanted to learn more about the city's brilliant cultural hotspots so they could pass on this knowledge to passengers.

“By having good information about places like the Walker Art Gallery they are in a better position to show off the city to visitors.

“Initially around a dozen cabbies will come on tours but we want as many as possible to get in touch and become Cultural Cabbies.”