Ocean liner plan for Weston-super-Mare's Tropicana

Members of the public voted on plans for the Tropicana

The derelict Tropicana on Weston-super-Mare's seafront could be redeveloped to look like an ocean liner.

Businessman Richard Nightingale, who wants to rebuild the former swimming pool, offered four competing designs for the public to choose from.

The ocean liner design, from architect Faulkner Brown, will now be put to North Somerset Council planners.

More than 8,000 people voted on the various schemes, with the ocean liner design getting the most votes at 3,300.

A previous scheme to regenerate the site by construction firm Henry Boot was hit by the recession.

The plan to regenerate the site has the backing of the town's MP John Penrose.

Mr Nightingale said he thought getting the public involved in the scheme from the planning stage was crucial.

"I think it's so important from the start to take in the opinions of members of the public to make sure we're putting forward something to North Somerset Council which is supported and chosen by the community."

North Somerset Council is looking to re-advertise the site, which has been empty since 2000.

It said it did not want the site used for housing and any development should feature an all-season swimming pool.

The spokesman added: "Richard Nightingale is one of two bidders currently going through an assessment process to redevelop the site which is owned by North Somerset Council.

"The other bidder is Havard Tisdale, based in Wiltshire."

The Tropicana's heyday was in the 1960s.