WORK could start within months on a green 'gateway' to Blackpool and a re-shaped promenade as the town's 'masterplan' begins to take effect.

Council bosses want to sweep away the unattractive 1960s concrete buildings and car parks along Seasiders Way to replace them with a bright, green vision of the future.

European funding is already in place for the work and council chief executive, Steve Weaver, is confident that work will begin shortly. Coves, Spanish steps and dunes modelled on those further down the coast could all become part of the new look promenade. Funding is already in place for flood defence works on the Prom, and council bosses hope the regeneration work could be done in tandem with this. The council also hopes to hear soon if its bid for new transport funding, which would see modernisation of the tram network, has been approved.

A conference centre is another early priority, and the masterplan envisages a £100 million facility located opposite central pier.

"Almost all conference centres now are very largely publicly funded," said Mr Weaver: "We are talking about a modern conference centre costing £90-£100 million."

And he claims the masterplan will not be doomed even if the casino hotel hopes are foiled. "Without casinos things will take longer and there will be more public money involved if the Government doesn't deliver casinos," he said.

There are still more ideas to be considered - including 'rebranding' the three piers, with a 'history pier' at the north, a 'children's' central pier and a 'thrill pier' to the south.