A team dedicated to boosting the tourism and economy of the Anjou region of France is finalising plans for Le Parc du Végégtal - a horticultural theme park due to open in the spring of 2005.

Le Parc du Végégtal project is the result of a lengthy consideration by the local authority, the Council of Maine et Loire, in partnership with local representatives from the horticultural industry and university research groups.

The collaborative team aims to give a direct lift to Anjou's tourism and horticultural industry. The theme park must be sufficiently original in its concept to achieve a sustainable annual visitor target of 920, 000 within seven years.

Visitors will be offered an exploration based on 'the extra ordinary adventures of people and plants: how plants have contributed to the history of man - from landscaping to economics; from caring for the environment to the quality of everyday life'.

The initial investment, estimated to be 522m FrF, will be shared by the Council of Maine et Loire and private partners. A private operator will be entrusted with the management of the park, which is expected to generate about 200 jobs.

The management team has already been in touch with Grévin et compagnie, which already manages five sites in France, including the Grévin Museum of Paris and the Parc Astérix. Grévin has just bought two new parks in Holland, Dolfinarium Harderwijk and Avonturenpark Hellendoor. Grévin will lead several studies on the project and give technical advice. Final decisions on the project expected in June 2002.