'You couldn't make it up'

A MAN called “Lennon” became the final visitor to Liverpool’s pavilion at the World Expo in Shanghai.

Huang Yong, who chose “Lennon” as his English name, because of his love of The Beatles, was presented with a framed picture of all five of the city’s World Cup 2010 finalists.

Liverpool FC’s Fernando Torres, Pepe Reina, Dirk Kuyt and Ryan Babel and Everton FC’s Johnny Heitinga all signed the picture.

“Lennon” who supports Liverpool FC and lives in Shanghai says he had already visited the Expo twice with his wife Yuan Xiao and daughter Yumi Juan, but had waited until the end of Expo to visit the Liverpool pavilion, becoming the pavilion’s 770,044th visitor.

He said: “This is a very beautiful gift. I am a big football fan so I am very lucky to win this prize. It’s a really big surprise for us and we will be the envy of all our friends and family.”

Liverpool is the only city in the UK to have had a dedicated presence at the World Expo in Shanghai with the pavilion sited in the Urban Pest Practice Area.

Chris Heyes, Liverpool pavilion technical and operations manager, presented the family with their prize and said: “I feel certain that all those who have visited the Liverpool pavilion will have had a memorable experience and hopefully they will come to visit the city itself in years to come.

“Our thanks to both football clubs for helping to arrange this unique prize - we couldn’t believe it when the winner told us his name and of his strong interest in football and music - you couldn’t make it up.”