FORMER Beatle Pete Best is to have a street named after him – 36 years after the campaign to make it happen was launched.

Drummer Best, who was sacked by the Beatles in 1961 just before they achieved worldwide fame, was accompanied by his brother Roag at the unveiling of the new street signs, one for Pete Best Drive and another for Casbah Close.

The latter is in honour of the rock and roll cafe their mother, Mona Best, ran.

The streets will be on the development of the site of the former Bellefield training ground of Everton FC in West Derby.

The plan was first hatched in 1975 when one of the founders of the Beatles Appreciation Society, Gene Grimes, wrote to the council urging them to recognise Best, now 69.

Best said: “Gene has always been a very good friend and supporter and he said he wanted to get a street named after me. I said thanks but didn’t give it any more thought.

“But he’s persevered and thankfully he’s achieved it.”

It is understood plans are afoot for Best to hand over the keys to the first people who buy a house in Pete Best Drive.

The planned development is for 74 houses ranging from £350,000 to £500,000.

Mr Grimes said he would be one of the first to move in “if I win the lottery”.

He added: “The first letter I wrote was to (former Liberal leader) Cllr Trevor Jones.

“I got a reply saying thanks for your letter, we’ll be in touch. That was 36 years ago.”

Film crews from as far afield as Japan turned up to cover the launch event at the Bellefield construction site yesterday.