They are real sea horses. They are world famous. The River Mersey is also a star.

Like the Thames in London; Rhine in Germany; Seine in France; Hudson in New York; Nile in Egypt; Danube in Vienna; Mississippi in the deep South of America, all these iconic rivers create images of a place . . . of people, of cities and times.

The Mersey still makes waves, invokes dreams and – whether silent or angry – stirs wishes and hopes.

The River Mersey has played host to ships of all kinds for centuries. Gerry Marsden made it a pop and film star with his anthemic Ferry ‘Cross The Mersey. But there’s much more to this ferry fleet.

For the first time ever, in this 84-page glossy publication, we look back at the Mersey and all the ferries that make it such a global attraction.

Whether the ferries clinked their gates in Liverpool or Birkenhead or Seacombe. Further afield to Dublin, Belfast and the Isle of Man. And . . . back again. They are part of the landscape, the seascape.

Packed with rare photographs from the award-winning Daily Post and ECHO archives there’s a cargo of interviews – pre and post war – from ordinary folk to celebrities and families having day-tripping holidays to New Brighton.

There are the ‘Fish and Chip’, rock and roll boats of the 60s and memories of the Royal Iris to make you homesick but never seasick.

The ferries are now firmly established as a part of Merseyside life – like the football clubs, the music, the humour, the architecture and, of course, those two other favourites, the Liver Birds.

Charles Dickens loved the ferries. So too did George Formby, The Beatles and millions of other travellers. Why?

Now book this ticket to ride. Mersey Ferry Tales pays homage to their past, present and future.

All aboard.