THREE waterfront weekenders and a public art trail are among the highlights of Liverpool’s cultural programme for the next nine months, it was revealed yesterday.

More than 100 exhibitions, shows and events will be held to ensure the city does not suffer from the “hangover” effect of other former Capital of Cultures.

They include the On the Waterfront festival, held over three weekends in July, August and September, and A Winter’s Trail, a public art showcase on the scale of last summer’s successful Go Superlambanana parade.

Hub, Liverpool’s extreme sports festival, will be transformed into a week-long event focusing on all facets of youth culture, including music and fashion.

The fringe element of the Mathew Street Festival will also be expanded.

Council leader Warren Bradley said 2009’s cultural programme will demonstrate the city’s continuing appeal as a tourist attraction.

Unveiling the calendar of events at The Bluecoat yesterday, he said: “I believe that this year is our greatest challenge.

“Every Capital of Culture has suffered a hangover and we are now in the biggest recession since the war, but Liverpool is in the best-ever position to sell itself as one of the UK’s best cultural destinations.”

Culture Liverpool, formerly Liverpool Culture Company, is inviting national arts organisations to bid to deliver the On the Waterfront weekends, which will be themed around music, art and film.

The winner will be given a £350,000 budget to oversee the planning of the festival, which will also involve local arts groups such as the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra.