My neighbour is in his 70s and tells me he remembers going to New Brighton in the 50s and seeing an Elephant, allegedly named Comet or something like that, who was paraded up and down and along the nearby promenade area on a regular basis. We did buy him a bottle of good Brandy for Christmas but he swears its true and is desperate to know if anyone else knows of this beast. Is he pulling my leg or what?

Might have been a friend of Monica's, (see http://www.yoliverpool.com/forum/showpost.php?p=9464&postcount=19). :)

There are several artworks built into Egremont Promenade (they look like man-holes on the floor). Most feature sea-creatures, but one has small elephants on it.

It's very likely he did see an elephant beng walked up and down the prom. Circuses have been visiting New Brighton for years - the keepers would take elephants out walking as an advertisement stunt.

New Brighton had its own circus for many years and it was going strong in the 50's. Situated where the bowling alley is now. There are photo's of it on the reflections site and I vaguely remember it.

Edit to include link. http://www.20thcenturyimages.co.uk/trolleyed/4/21/wirral-newbrighton(5).html