City centre Riviera beach scheme

The council is promising lots of entertainment along with the sand

The centre of Nottingham is to be turned into a beach resort for part of the summer.

About 300 tonnes of sand will be used to create a "Nottingham Riviera", complete with a promenade, pool and beach entertainment.

The venture has been organised by the council and the Mellors Group, the firm behind the Nottingham big wheel.

The Riviera opens on 22 July and continues through the summer holidays until 5 September.

There will also be crazy golf, a bungee trampoline, an inflatable slide, a merry-go-round, sports events and music.

Dave Trimble, Nottingham City Council's portfolio holder for Culture, Leisure and Communities, said: "There will be loads of fun for all the family with lots of activities for children and plenty to enjoy for residents, for people coming into the city to work and for visitors and tourists.

"It takes place during the full six weeks of the summer holidays so that everyone can get a feel of the sand between their toes even if they are not able to leave Nottingham this year."

The square was turned into a smaller beach for three summers in the early 1990s.