LIVERPOOL is celebrating the first anniversary of its Capital of Culture win by launching a cultural treat.

The city's second 20/08 festival was launched on Friday, June 4 2004 - a year to the day since the city was named European Capital of Culture 2008.

Tourism and cultural organisations throughout the city are being invited to help the city celebrate the first anniversary of the historic announcement by once again pledging their support to the 20/08 festival.

Culture bosses want the significant date in the city's calendar, August 20 2004 - 20/08 - to be an even bigger success than last year - when hundreds of organisations slashed prices, staged special events and even opened their doors for free.

To kick off this year's 20/08 celebrations, Arriva North West has begun a quest to make bus drivers in the European Capital of Culture more Euro-friendly, by giving them the chance to learn a foreign language - for free!

Almost 60 bus drivers on Merseyside have already taken up the offer of courses in Spanish and Italian.

Saying Hola and Ciao to the city's tourists is now becoming a part of everyday life for many drivers.

Already signed up to this year's 20/08 celebrations are organisers at the Southport Show, who are offering 100 free tickets for their shows between August 19 and 22.

Arriva North West are also running their special 2008 competition, giving their customers the chance to win £2,008 if issued with a lucky ticket.

Since it was launched last year, three people have hopped on the bus and found themselves two grand richer.