DOZENS of guests had to be evacuated from Liverpool’s Hard Days Night Hotel after a leaking pipe flooded the basement.

Firemen were called to the Grade II listed building on North John Street, Liverpool city centre, at around 2.15pm today after reports of water apparently leaking into electrical systems.

Guests had to be moved out of the 110-bedroom four star luxury hotel for safety reasons as electrical technicians arrived to cut the power supply.

Watch manager Andy Burton, from Mersey Fire and Rescue Service, said: "What happened is there was a leak and all the water ended up in the basement.

"It was hot water and it created steam all over the place.

"It was like a sauna down there.

"We had to wait for Manweb to come out and isolate the electricity so we could go in and start pumping it out without getting electrocuted.

"I asked for extra personnel to be able to get the water pumped out quicker. Three times as many pumps is three times as fast. "I think it will take a few hours to fix."

Three fire engines had arrived outside the historic Central Building by 4pm and were driven around the back while disgruntled city-breakers crowded the top-hatted doorman.

Guest Matt Bourne was one of those to leave the hotel with wife Hedda.

He said: "We had just come up from Birmingham and left the dog with family in Preston.

"It had taken us an hour to park the car. Then we came here and found this.

"We were laughing saying wouldn’t it be funny if those fire engines meant we couldn’t stay and now it’s actually happened.

"They offered alternate accommodation but I’m a massive Beatles fan and this was my Christmas present. I wanted to stay at the hotel.

"We decided to go and stay with some friends in Cheshire instead.

"It’s not the hotel’s fault. They’ve been really good."

The Hard Days night were unavailable when contacted but it is believed alternative accommodation was being offered to guests.

The Hard Days Night, which is themed around the famous four, opened in February 2008 and boasts £650-a-night Lennon and McCartney suites for Beatles fans.