THE demolition of a swimming pool complex in Morecambe could pave the way for the creation of an up-market water sports marina.

Lancaster City Council has decided to demolish the Bubbles Leisure Park, on Marine Road West, and to use the site for other leisure events.

The decision was taken by the economic and development policy committee, which rejected plans by Blackpool-based company Manor House Inns to redevelop the attraction after hearing the proposal would require substantial council investment and a 99-year lease on the site.

Committee chair Coun Paul Morris said: "The decision wasn't taken lightly - we did want Bubbles to continue but it just wasn't possible given the amounts they were expecting the council to put in financially."

But he added that future plans for the Promenade location could include the creation of a marina, acting as a catalyst for regeneration.

"Bubbles is part of an area we are hoping to go up-market on, possibly to take advantage of the speed limit on Windermere and to encourage the visitors that used to do water sports in the Lake District to come into the Bay," said Coun Morris.

It is hoped that the demolition of Bubbles will be finished by early summer, and plans for the site will be discussed at future committee meetings.