Liverpool's economy is being boosted by £3 million every week on average thanks to the city's newly-opened Echo Arena and BT Convention Centre, it has been reported.

According to the Liverpool Daily Post, the waterfront conference hub has drawn in 300,000 delegates since the start of the year.

The newspaper has calculated that the arena and convention centre will have ploughed £160 million into the city's economy in its first financial year.

Council leader Warren Bradley told the paper: "It goes to show what a different place Liverpool is now.

"We always said the most important thing is bringing economic stability to the city and that's what we are achieving."

Earlier this month, it was confirmed that BBC director-general Mark Thompson will be the keynote speaker at Liverpool Chamber of Commerce's annual dinner at the BT Convention Centre.

Taking place on November 20th at, the event is likely to attract some of the biggest names in the creative and professional services sectors.