A German city has shaken off its name and dubbed itself “Swiftkirchen” as it prepares for the arrival of Taylor Swift and many thousands of her adoring fans.

The world’s biggest music star is due to play three dates at Gelsenkirchen, near the Dutch border in western Germany, later this month and ahead of her arrival, the Swifties have taken over.

With tens of thousands of fans expected to descend on the city for her shows on 17, 18 and 19 July, the new name has been coined and…