THE world's largest and longest-running Beatles festival will return to Liverpool later this month.

International Beatleweek 2019 will welcome 70 bands from 20 countries and Fab Four fans from across the globe will descend on the Mersey for the huge seven-day event organised by Cavern City Tours from Wednesday, August 21 until Tuesday, August 27.

Estimated to be worth £2.8m to the city's economy, the festival will also celebrate the landmark 50 years since the release of Abbey Road and 60 years since the Casbah Club was opened by Mona Best - mum of The Beatles' first drummer Pete Best in West Derby.

Special guests at this year's festival include John Lennon's sister Julia Baird, Rock and Roll Hall of Fame drummer Alan White who played with both Lennon and George Harrison plus recording studio engineer Jack Douglas who worked with Lennon on Imagine and Double Fantasy.

Core events include the Annual Beatles Convention at the Adelphi Hotel on Sunday, August 25 which features guest speakers, interviews, film shows, a giant Beatles flea market, and performances from 40 tribute bands.

Cavern City Tours director Bill Heckle told the Globe: “Beatleweek remains the biggest celebration of Beatles’ music anywhere in the world, and despite it being 50 years since the band broke up, their songs continue to inspire a new generation of fans and musicians.

“What International Beatleweek has done over the past three decades is to create this amazing family all over the globe.

"It’s an umbrella for like-minded people, many of whom have forged deep friendships over many years – and some of which have resulted in marriage!

“This year’s event sold out in May which makes it the fastest-selling in Beatleweek’s long history.

“This is fantastic for the future of the festival, but also for Liverpool’s tourism industry.

“International Beatleweek is worth an estimated £1m a year to Liverpool, with thousands of festival-goers travelling here from dozens of countries and spending money on hotels, taxis, experiences and souvenirs, and in restaurants, bars and cafes across the city.”

For more information and tickets visit https://www.internationalbeatleweek.com/