MERSEYSIDE’S creative and digital industries have been the centre of national and international attention in a series of events designed to showcase what the sector has to offer.

The region has just finished hosting the 10-day Liverpool Design Festival, which included a showcase for green designers and the Liverpool Design Symposium.

Last Thursday saw the city host both video gaming conference develop and Liverpool Software City, which attracted hi-tech firms from all over the world.

And last weekend Liverpool Sound City held a sister event, Dubai Sound City, in the Middle Eastern emirate.

Liverpool Design Festival, which ended on Sunday, included a “Finishing School” event of masterclasses designed to help new entrants to the industry.

It also saw the launch of Design Stars, a competition to encourage 11 to 16-year-olds to consider careers in the design industry.

The event, sponsored by games giant Sony, graphic agency Nonconform and fashion accessory maker Nook and Willow, will see free workshops held in schools throughout Merseyside.

The Eco Design Show showcased the work of green designers and also gave visitors the chance to turn recycled objects into lamps, vases, bowls and jewellery.

Tara Badami, director of festival organiser Design Initiative, said: “Despite shocking weather over 1,500 visitors braved the elements to visit the Eco Design show and shopped, networked and had fun making their own creations in the workshops.

“I believe we really boosted the local design economy and have put people in touch with each other that will go on to create new products and new businesses.”

Designer and exhibitor Ilsa Parry said: “The Liverpool Eco Design show this year was a huge success for me in terms of making the direct local contacts I needed to ensure that my business reaches its ambitious goals.

“I met a wide and varied range of people and thoroughly enjoyed demonstrating my work to the visitors who were genuinely interested.”

At the Develop conference, senior figures in the gaming industry called for the Government to give the sector tax breaks to help it tackle the threat of foreign competition.

Dubai Sound City, the first spin-off event of the annual Liverpool music festival and conference Sound City, saw performances from bands including the Happy Mondays and The Futureheads.