Ringo Starr's first house to be demolished as of no historic value

The first home of ex-Beatle Ringo Starr is likely to be bulldozed after years of wrangling over its future, officials said yesterday.

Number 9 Madryn Street, in Dingle, Liverpool, has little historic value and no interest from tourists to the city, the owners said.

Demolition of the house, where the drummer was born and lived until he was three months old, is due to take place under a housing regeneration scheme.

A nearby home, 10 Admiral Grove, where Starr lived for the subsequent 20 years of his life is to remain standing.

Residents of the area, known locally as the Welsh Streets, have long campaigned to stop the demolition scheme.

But the house's owners Merseytravel said not enough fans of the Fab Four want to visit.

Chief executive Neil Scales said: "There is little historic value in the house, which does not now figure in our tourism plans."