THESE photographs reveal a sneak preview of Liverpool’s new £72m waterfront museum as it reaches the final stages of completion.

They show the dramatic elliptical staircase leading up through the centre of the Pier Head attraction, the 28m-wide picture windows and some of the many artefacts waiting to go on display.

When opened, it will be Britain’s largest newly-built museum for more than a century, with 8,000 sq m of dedicated public space, and the world’s only national museum dedicated to a single city.

Lord Mayor of Liverpool Hazel Williams was given a tour ahead of its first phase of opening in July.

She said: “The only word I can use to describe the Museum of Liverpool is awe-inspiring – I really am blown away by it all.

“It’s the best museum I’ve ever visited and it was fantastic to see Liverpool’s past, present and future all under one roof.

“I can say without hesitation this is going to be a must-visit destination for residents and visitors, and I can’t wait to see the finished museum later this year.”