Drayton Manor theme park at Tamworth is to develop a £6m, 78-bedroom hotel in its woodland environment.

'We have a growing demand for accommodation facilities, not only from leisure visitors but also from conference and banqueting customers,' said Colin Bryan, managing director of the park

Some of the rooms will be themed along the lines of the park's attractions as well as a number of larger rooms being designed as family suites - with rooms adjoining. The hotel will have a function suite, restaurant, meeting rooms and leisure facilities.

Due to open in 2004/5, the hotel will be the fourth in the Drayton Manor Hotel chain, the other three hotels being located in Wales.

New £3m attractions at the park this year include a circus stage show and the £1m Maelstrom - a ride featuring a circular gondola attached to a pendulum.