THOUSANDS of visitors will flock to Albert Dock today to welcome home the Liverpool 08 crew and the Clipper fleet after their round-the-world adventure.

And last night Liverpool council leader Warren Bradley said he hoped the spectacular race would become permanently synonymous with the River Mersey.

Despite costing almost £1m to host, Cllr Bradley said he believed it was important Liverpool struck a long term deal with the race organisers to keep bringing the race back to the Mersey.

He said the 35,000-mile race should become part of Liverpool’s cultural calendar like the Mathew Street Festival and the Mersey Maritime Festival. Given the momentous success of two previous homecomings, the council has already begun talks to bring the race back to Liverpool in 2011-12.

Despite the price, the council is already in talks with the business and tourism community to help fund the next bid.

The race currently operates on a rolling three-year cycle, with Hull set to host the 2009-10 event.

Cllr Bradley said: “It is our intention to bid for the Clipper race in 2011-12.

“Everywhere the race has been, in every port, Liverpool has been mentioned and had exposure, and it’s great we’ve had our own boat as well.