LIVERPOOL will turn the  second visit of Cunard’s  luxury liner Queen Elizabeth  this Friday into a family day  out.

The plan is to take  advantage of it being the first  time a Cunard liner has  called during school holidays  with even  bigger crowds  than usual  expected.

The £350m, 90,910 gross  ton ship is due to arrive on  her second visit to the city  on a round Britain cruise.

Her 2,100 passengers and  spectators viewing the ship  will be able to enjoy a  day  long riverside celebration  including 30 arts and craft  stalls, children’s  fairground, food court,  ukulele performance and  shanty songs.

Liverpool’s town crier,  Terry Stubbings, will also  give children under 11  years lessons in his  art form from 2pm.

Ghost tour company  Shiverpool will   put on a free  theatre performance with a  special “auld city”  theme  about Liverpool’s original  seven streets.

The event is possible  because of the extra space  created by the new cruise  terminal baggage handling  complex.

This was built to handle  “turnaround” cruise arrivals  and departures, which does  not apply on this liner visit.

Cllr Wendy Simon,  Liverpool City Council  cabinet member for culture  and tourism, said:  “Whenever a cruise liner  sails into Liverpool it always  attracts huge crowds.

“So for the visit of the  majestic Queen Elizabeth we  wanted to encourage  spectators and passengers  from the ship to spend as  much time as possible on our  World Heritage site  waterfront.

“This is the first time a  Cunard liner has visited the  city during the school  holidays so we’re expecting a  great turnout.

“With the added element of  the entertainment we’re  providing it really is a great  day out for all the family.”

The arts and craft fair will run from Friday midday to 8pm. The  three fairground rides and food outlets will open from about 10am.

M/V Queen Elizabeth was commissioned in October 2010. She will  arrive at 5am and depart at  10pm but there will not  be  any farewell fireworks.