An abandoned Wild West Theme Park in Cornwall, UK is to be replaced by a £50m expansion to a holiday resort later this year.

On the site of the Spirit of the West theme park – which closed in 2009 – the investment will see the area turned into a luxury holiday spot by Retallack Resort and Spa.

The development, which has been granted planning consent by Cornwall Council, will cover 81 acres and include a tourism training academy, 325 luxury rental properties and an indoor leisure village with a swimming pool, gym, function space, gym, restaurant, café and office space.

The plans include an academy to train budding tourism professionals in all facets of the self-catering tourist industry, in which Cornwall leads the way in the UK.

The proposed training facilities will be the best in the South West and will develop young talent looking for a career in tourism.

Construction consultant Edmon Shipway is part of the development team along with Hunter Page Planning.

The Retallack Resort currently has a number of leisure facilities including a health club, spa, kids club and a simulated wave surface surfing wave.

Retallack also opened its newest restaurant, The Green Room, in February this year with MasterChef winner James Nathan working as the executive chef.