LIVERPOOL’S pavilion at the World Expo, in Shanghai, is beating its competitor cities with treble the number of visitors in opening days.

On average, between 1,800 and 2,000 people are calling at the stand each day, compared to around 400 visiting the likes of Venice and Pondicherry.

The £1.1m stand, which opened 10-days ago, combines a video greeting from Sir Paul McCartney, football, maritime and a 3-D film featuring a Chinese dragon and a Liver Bird flying over the North West.

The showpiece is the 3D-film which has left Chinese crowds in awe.

Lindsay Ashworth, development director of main sponsor Peel Holdings, said he was delighted with the way the pavilion was working.

He said: “I think it is fantastic. I could never decide whether it was going to work or not.

“But people come in here and it makes them feel good, they enjoy it.”

He said the penalty shoot-out feature was a hit with Chinese businessmen.

“Liverpool is being seen as a place that is moving forward.

“Of course we have got the Beatles on show here, which is part of the history. But this pavilion shows that Liverpool has got a future.”

The company has come to Shanghai to seek investment in its projects including the multi-billion pound Liverpool and Wirral Waters scheme.

Liverpool will exhibit at the World Expo – known as the business Olympics – for its six months’ duration.

Clive Drinkwater, North West director of UK Trade and Investment (UKTI), who was holding a reception at the UK pavilion last night, said: “I have been around the other pavilions and they are not a patch on Liverpool.

“The pavilion is teaching people things they did not know about.”

He said the UKTI’s intention was to promote North West manufacturers selling their products in China.