A BLUEPRINT for the restoration of Morecambe's famous art deco Midland Hotel has been lodged with Lancaster City Council.

Award-winning property developers Urban Splash want to restore the Midland as an hotel, keeping original features including the Eric Gill relief and the famous sea horses.

But the new plan also includes a roof terrace and a new, sculptured outdoor bath.

The Manchester company will present details of its scheme privately to members of the city council's Cabinet and invited local groups tomorrow (Friday).

And it will follow that up with an open day at the hotel from 10am until 4pm on Saturday when extracts from the plan will be exhibited for public viewing.

Representatives from the company and its architects, Liverpool-based Union North, will be on hand to answer any questions.

Urban Splash, well-known for its work in regenerating old buildings, bought the historic Grade II listed hotel - which finally closed three years ago following many years of neglect - in January.

Its chairman Tom Bloxham has described the Midland as 'a fantastic building' whose gradual decline he had watched with sadness.

But he says Urban Splash has developed proposals he hopes will win the support of the city council, English Heritage and the North West Development Agency.

"The restoration of the hotel is still by no means certain but the submission of the planning application is an important first step and we hope that people will like our proposals," he told the Citizen.

Cllr Ron Sands, Cabinet member with responsibility for Tourism says he is delighted that plans have been submitted at last.

"It's the best thing that has happened to Morecambe since the Eric Morecambe statue was unveiled by the Queen," he told the Citizen.

"This is a cause for celebration. It is not just good for the Midland Hotel, which is in a forlorn state, but the reputation for the whole of the resort. I believe many more creative and big investors will now start looking seriously at Morecambe."

He said Urban Splash is an experienced company which aims to team up with hotel management company Alias to provide the winning formula.