AN EXHIBITION opened in Morecambe over the Bank Holiday to explain to the public the ambitious plans for the £10m restoration of the resort's famous art deco Midland Hotel.

The exhibition has been put on by the new owners, Kalber Leisure, in the former Fatty Arbuckles restaurant opposite the hotel following the decision by Lancaster City Council last week to approve the restoration plans.

They include the building of a three storey extension to house a new leisure centre with a swimming pool, gym and retail outlet on the ground floor; a new sun lounge, with circular bar, on the ground floor; the relocation of the famous Eric Gill relief to the foyer of the building, its original position when the hotel was first opened in 1933; and the refurbishment of the rest of the Grade II Star listed hotel, which will have 50 bedrooms, in an art deco theme.

The exhibition contains display panels detailing the history of the famous hotel, a computer model of the plans and a video presentation which includes a clip from the "Poirot" TV film that was made there.

Hotel General Manager Tudor Williams said the exhibition was designed to "raise awareness" of the hotel scheme in the minds of the public and "build relationships with the local community".

He said that, following some local scepticism about it, "we want to show that it's a serious venture, to be open about it and to give people an opportunity to ask questions about it".

At the same time they hoped to "build up clientele for the future."

He said there had been a lot of interest in the exhibition over the weekend, and it and the cafe that had been opened with it would remain at least until the Midland Hotel was opened again next Easter.