AN ARCHITECTURE expert got up close and personal with the city’s iconic Liver Birds for a forthcoming TV documentary.

Dr Jonathan Foyle is filming in Liverpool for a new BBC series called Climbing Great Buildings.

The programmes, to be shown next month, will celebrate the past 1,000 years of British architecture.

As well as the Royal Liver Building, Dr Foyle visits such landmarks as St Paul’s Cathedral, in London, and Imperial War Museum North, at Salford Quays, for the 15-part series.

In each episode, Dr Foyle – an expert and broadcaster in architectural history – uses urban climbing techniques to explore both the inside and outside of each iconic structure.

He talks about its design, construction and role in the history of British architecture and engineering with his co-presenter, the seven- times women’s climbing champion, Lucy Creamer.

Dr Foyle is already well known to viewers thanks to his appearances on Time Team and The One Show.

He said: “The Liver Building plays such an important part in our architectural heritage.

“It was Britain’s very first skyscraper and it would be the inspiration for skyscrapers all over the world.

“This is the first building in Britain to be built on a reinforced concrete frame on such a massive scale. This innovation meant buildings could now be built taller and quicker than ever before and would usher in the age of the skyscraper.”

Dr Foyle, who only had a few climbing lessons, had to conquer his own fear of heights to make the series. He said: “It’s been a baptism of fire.

“You learn to trust the equipment you’ve got and not to look down!

“Getting up close to the Liver Building and sitting under the belly of the Liver Bird that looks out to sea is something only a few people get to do.

“What’s striking about the city’s architecture is the grand scale on which it was conceived, like St George’s Hall, and its innovation – the Liver Building is of that type.”

Dr Foyle is a regular visitor to Liverpool in his capacity as chief executive of World Monuments Fund Britain, which helped towards the restoration of the small concert room at St George’s Hall.

Produced by ITN, Climbing Great Buildings is broadcast on weekday nights on BBC Two, starting on September 6. The Liver Building episode will be shown on September 21.