AFTER a marvellous weekend in Morecambe it has got me thinking about its problems.

Watching its downfall over the past two decades, it has always occurred to me that all the things that made my childhood fun to live in Morecambe, have one by one been taken away.

That poses the question; what have children got to do in our town whether they are a visitor or a local? Answer is nothing.

Children have nothing to do, no wonder nobody wants to come here, a visiting family want to be entertained by the town, not to have to search for things to do and find nothing, no wonder people don't come back.

Visiting Happy Mount Park on Monday morning, expecting it to be empty, I was surprised to see it busier than I have ever seen, kids having a great time while parents relaxed and enjoyed the park, no fancy roller coasters or rides, just basic family fun.

This needs to be our first step, to our own identity.

'Happy, no nonsense, family fun resort.' Think, a place just before the Lake District where people can come and spend a day or two, parents can relax, enjoy the bay and children are entertained and perhaps even educated without knowing it.

Changes need to be made and it does not have to be expensive, it can be beneficial to locals and visitors alike.

Consider this example.

The promenade between Heysham and West End, who would want to visit that I hear you say! Well, apply a little imagination, the great decorated stone jetty decorations with the new Central Car Park (under construction) decorations, into an educational walk, with games on the promenade to keep children entertained.

Throw in the ponies on the field to add the 'aww' factor, a playground next to a sandy beach, sunnyside hills decorated with the promenade and a dredged Sandylands pool for water entertainment, chuck in the great views for the parents and, hey presto, you have an interesting walk which will benefit Heysham and West End and the children.

If done well then commerce opportunities for the local derelict business in that area could be a possibility.

Small and relatively cheap differences that might just start the growth back to recovery.

I can see a beautiful, family orientated Morecambe, but you just need to take off the tarnished surface.

I am willing to speak to any councillor who is willing to listen.

Stuart Lovatt

via e-mail