Love Locks - Liverpool

The padlocks, inscribed by couples and attached to fences or railings, are a familiar sight around the likes of Paris, Rome and Cologne.

The basic, every-day padlocks, are inscribed with dates and initials of the couples, who are then supposed to throw their keys into the river as a statement of their ‘everlasting love’.

The practice is popular in Europe and has had a boost in recent years from Federico Moccia’s novel Ho Voglia di Te, which featured a couple doing it in Florence. It was then copied by romantic couples around the world. In Liverpool, a sign on the Albert Dock reads: “This is a special place for lovers! Interlock your padlocks on the railings and throw away the key into the Mersey. You will never lose your true love!”phig

Some couples simply pen their names on novelty locks while others take on a more professional approach with fully engraved or painted designs.