Southport is to have an estimated £50m invested in a five-year plan to introduce a range of leisure and tourism initiatives to rebrand the north west coastal resort.

The initiatives are intended to re-establish Southport as a 'classic resort brand', with appeal as a year-round family destination and conference venue – and creating more than 800 new jobs.

Grouped under the Southport Seafront Action Plan, the scheme include an £8m indoor water park, the refurbishment of the man-made marine lake, a snow dome and a four-star seafront hotel and conference centre.

The plans are being spearheaded by Sefton Council in conjunction with public/private regeneration group, the Southport Partnership.

The plans have already secured £8.2m of funding from the government office of the north west and a further £8m has been promised from the North West Regional Development Agency, to be spread across certain key projects.

Substantial private investment is also expected to be secured.

Speaking about the new development plans, Tony Corfield, head of tourism for Sefton Council, said: "The move towards becoming the north west's first classic resort will fundamentally underpin Southport's position as an upmarket, modern resort which is designed to be a wonderful place to live, work and visit." Details: www.sefton.gov.uk