A HOSPITAL worker swapped the daily grind for a life of civic duty yesterday, as he became Liverpool’s Lord Mayor for 24 hours.

Unveiling works of art, conducting radio inter- views and posing for photographs are not the usual duties 61-year-old Jimmy Reil carries out as a supervisor in Aintree Hospital.

But yesterday he was presented with the mayoral chains of office by the now reinstated Mayor, Cllr Steve Rotheram, after winning a competition.

As part of the prize, Mr Reil and his wife, Pat, were given a tour of the town hall and treated to lunch in the Parlour with their family and friends.

The Aintree resident took the opportunity to appear on the town hall balcony with four life-size waxworks of the Beatles looking out on the city for a photograph.

And later he was presented with a Liver Bird charm by Links of London in the Metquarter, before shooting off back to the town hall to be presented with a Mandela Medal by anti-apartheid movement Liverpool South Africa Association.

Mr Reil said: "I’ve really been enjoying the day so far, it’s been really fantastic.

"There were particular things that I was looking forward to before the day though I’ve enjoyed them all which was a surprise.

"The lunch in the town hall was a proud moment for me, I had the full regalia on at the head of the table, while we had a quiet meal with the mayor and his wife, as well as some of my close family and friends. I’ve not had a quiet day to say the least though I’ve really enjoyed it and I’m looking forward to this evening.

"I go back to work on Friday and I’d be lying if I said I was looking forward to it. I’m not going to forget this day for a long time."

Later on in the day, Mr Reil unveiled a new collection of canvas artworks depicting the Beatles at St George’s Hall before finally heading to the Devonshire Hotel for the 61st anniversary celebrations of the Merseyside Indian Association.

Cllr Rotheram added: "It was a fantastic day for Jimmy, he’s been absolutely overwhelmed by all of the events we had lined up for him. He didn’t have to give any speeches though he was interviewed on the radio earlier today, which I’m sure is a nervous moment for anyone. He’s done really well as Mayor for the day and I’m really happy with the way its gone."

Thousands of people entered the competition by donating a minimum of £1 to the Lord Mayor’s Charity Appeal.

All of the proceeds from the competition will go towards a range of charitable organisations including Alder Hey’s Imagine appeal, the Marina Dalglish Appeal and the Alzheimer's Association.

* TO COMMEMORATE yesterday’s status as 20:08 day – the day when Liverpool's reign as European Capital of Culture is reflected in the day, the month and the year- the Daily Post recorded a unique timeline.

It charted what the people of Merseyside were doing from 7am to midnight in their own words, together with photographs and videos. Log on to www.liverpooldailypost.co.uk to see the log.