A GERMAN submarine torpedoed during World War II will become a tourist attraction at Woodside Ferry terminal under Merseytravel plans.

The U-534 would form part of an exhibition that also includes artefacts and a history of the vessel. Huge, high-quality glazed panels installed over the end of each section will allow visitors to see inside the submarine from specially built viewing platforms.

The sub was part of the Wirral historic warship exhibition, which closed due to lack of funding last year.

The scheme is subject to planning permission from Wirral Council.

Neil Scales, chief executive and director general of Merseytravel, said: "We are still in negotiations with specialists about moving U-534 but work can start as soon as we receive planning permission which, we anticipate, will be in September.

"The U-Boat exhibition will also complement both the Resurgum, the world's first submarine, a full-scale model of which is located on the north side of the ferry terminal, as well the historic connection between the Mersey Ferries and U Boats through the 1918 Zeebrugge raid."

Launched in 1942, U534 was never involved in active combat during World War II but used for meteorological purposes.

It is thought that during this period it was used as a school boat, kept in the Baltic to train new crews and test new systems.

Released for operational duty in May 1944, the U534 was never sent on offensive patrols and was assigned the duty of weather reporting and required to avoid contact with the enemy to ensure regular reports.

It was heading north towards Norway, without flying a flag of surrender in May 1945, when it was attacked by a Liberator aircraft from RAF 547 Squadron which dropped depth charges. U534 took heavy damage and began to sink by the stern. Forty-nine of its 52 crew members survived - including five who escaped via a torpedo hatch as she lay on the sea bed.

Mr Scales added: "We'll make a trip on the Mersey Ferries an even more memorable experience for the ever increasing number of visitors to Merseyside.

"Our scheme will also complement the wider regeneration of the Woodside development that is the subject of a master plan."

For technical reasons the boat will be cut into three sections for transportation to its new site by water using a floating crane.