A NUMBER of poems appeared on the doorways of derelict houses in Liverpool’s demolition- threatened Welsh Streets.

A group calling itself the Unknown Poets posted the poems to draw attention to the plight of the homes – including Ringo Starr’s old house in Madryn Street.

A spokesman for the group, who wished to remain anonymous, said: “This was a poetic response to wanton destruction.

“It was intended to lift people’s spirits. We focused on Beatles’ lyrics, and in particular John Lennon, on what would have been his 70th birthday. I like to think he would have loved it.”

There were also poems by Shakespeare, the Mersey Poets such as Roger McGough, and Wendy Cope.

The spokesman added: “The idea behind the piece, called Safe as Houses, was to put a poem on the doorway of each derelict property.

“The demolition compares with the destruction of the original Cavern club.

“While I don’t think it will save the houses, it will have brightened up people’s lives in some small way. We turned a derelict street into an open-air gallery.”