Leeds firm Walker Morris has crossed the Pennines to advise Liverpool City Council on a £235m regeneration project in the northwest
that paves the way for the construction of Liverpool FC's new stadium.

The firm landed the lucrative mandate after seeing off a host of rival bids in a competitive tender at the end of last year.

The firm will advise the council on its joint venture with Liverpool FC, part of the city's umbrella Anfield Regeneration Project.

The scheme, which was announced in January, includes provisions for a 60,000-seater stadium to replace the club's historic home at Anfield, which will be converted into a major retail plaza.

The new stadium at Stanley Park, which will also feature conference space and an underground car park, is due to open for the start of the 2009-10 season. The project also includes new community and conference centres as well as an exhibition space and a restaurant. Construction is due to begin in the spring.

Walker Morris commercial chief David Kilduff, who is leading the team on the deal, commented: "We are delighted to have been appointed by the council to advise on such a prestigious project and one that has such emotional implications because of the special place that Liverpool FC and Anfield hold in the hearts of the local population and for football fans everywhere."

The line-up also includes corporate partner Paul Emmett, property partners Nick Cannon and Chris Woodthorpe, tax partner Simon Concannon and associates Emma Marsden and Jackie Gray.

DLA Piper is acting for Liverpool FC with local construction partner Jim Pinsent in the lead role.

The instruction is a coup for Walker Morris, which recently created a six-partner 'super-group' to coordinate high-value projects work in the public and private sectors.

The Leeds firm has also previously taken headline roles for Liverpool Land Development Company, which oversees major regeneration schemes in the city.