Effort to revive closed Dreamland

Plans have been outlined for housing and retail on the site

Demonstrators have gathered at the entrance to the closed Dreamland theme park in Margate in a campaign to save the seaside attraction.

Supporters say they want to see the leisure park site revived, rather than turned over for housing.

Supporter Christine Tongue said Dreamland was a vital part of the history of the town.

"People predicted that if Dreamland was closed over Easter, Margate would be dead, and Margate was dead," she said.

She added: "People don't want to see what amounts to a public asset being turned into a private space.

"Once you've lost it you've lost it.

"If it's concreted over and becomes housing or shops or whatever else, you have lost it as a tourist attraction and as something the public can use."

Dreamland closed last year after 84 years in business with plans to use the site for housing and retail.