Development plan for fairground

The park closed last year

The site of a former fairground in Merseyside is expected to be developed as part of a seafront scheme.

Sefton Council has taken control of the site of the former Pleasureland park in Southport which closed in September last year.

It has bought back the remainder of the lease for the 25-acre site and now hopes to find a partner in developing the land.

It said work would complement planned investment in the surrounding area.

The site may be used on a short-term basis while a more long-term plan is made.

Classic resort

Graham Haywood, Sefton Council's chief executive, said: "I am delighted with the outcome and feel that it is a very exciting time for the town.

"It has always been our intention to secure the best possible outcome for the site and to ensure that we can complement our already extensive developments on the seafront.

"We are now in a position to do just that and will continue developing the seafront and the town into what can be truly called a classic resort."

The park shut down due to falling visitor numbers. Owners Pleasureland Ltd said the attraction has become "unsustainable".