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ACTRESS Rita Tushingham and photographer Mike McCartney are to support Garston's drive for cultural village status.Playwright and former ECHO columnist Jimmy McGovern is also backing the initiative.They have joined forces with hundreds of Garston residents and businesses.An open letter from 57 businesses has been sent to Capital of Culture supremo Sir Bob Scott and city council leader Mike Storey calling for backing for the scheme, which they hope will help regenerate the area.The letter says: "We believe the campaign has imagination and a vision for Garston that will have a significant and lasting impact, with the creative and cultural industries at the heart of the commun ity's development and regeneration."Ms Tushingham, who lived in Ryegate Road until she was four, said: "My father had a grocers shop at the corner of Garston Old Road, in the days when the community would shop daily and you knew your neighbours."Anything that is a creative organisation and encourages all ages to be creative is important. I'll do all I can to back this."Mr McCartney, who grew up in Speke before he moved to Forthlin Road in Allerton, said he remembers shopping with his auntie Mil at Garston market.He said: "We were buying corduroy for curtains for my bedroom. A picture of those is now in the Smithsonian museum in Washington."It's great to have dreams, and anything appertaining to culture shouldn't long be dreams."More than 250 people attended a public meeting earlier this year to launch the campaign, and 35 artists have said they are interested in getting involved.The proposals could include artists studios, a theatre, exhibition spaces and recording studios.Last month the ECHO revealed more ambitious plans which include a Garston Lido beach, marina and luxury housing development, mini 'Eden project' and a riverside sculpture park.Artist Alex Corina, who is driving forward the plan, said: "We hope the high-profile backing will not only influence people to support the cultural village but will draw attention to the positive side of Garston."An exhibition to outline the ideas, with input from Garston schools, will be held at View 2 Gallery in Mathew Street on May 19-20.