Fantasy Island: 'Exciting future' for theme park after buyout

Fantasy Island, which employs more than 170 staff, attracts up to 40,000 visitors a day

A Lincolnshire seaside theme park has said it has a "really exciting future" after securing a buyer.

Fantasy Island, in Ingoldmells, Skegness, went into administration in 2014.

Leisure company the Mellors Group, which already owns a theme park in Dubai called Fantasy Island, has bought the attraction for an undisclosed fee.

The 41-acre (16.5 hectare) site employs more than 50 permanent and 120 seasonal staff.

The resort, which includes rides and what claims to be "Europe's largest seven-day market", is due to open for its summer season on Saturday.

Claire Draper, director of finance, said: "It's always been the long-term objective to secure a new owner, so I think we're all relieved that it's finally happened and certainly very excited that it's the Mellors Group that are taking it on.

"It's a really exciting future ahead".

Fantasy Island opened in 1995 and has many live acts throughout the season, including a British oompah band and various tribute acts.

James Mellors, co-director of the Mellors Group, said he hoped the move could lead to "millions of pounds coming back into the local economy".

He said: "Everybody locally knows that Fantasy Island was a great amusement park back in the day, and I think everyone would admit it has stayed the same for so long.

"We buy new rides, we operate new rides, we really want to bring it back and we have great plans."