MORECAMBE'S Midland Hotel could be saved by setting up a trust to attract funding to turn it into to a working art deco hotel, complete with staff in 1930s costume.

That's the idea currently being suggested by Independents at the city council following the collapse of the latest private sector deal to buy the Midland.

The Independent group claim the landmark building is central to the resort's regeneration and could help take Morecambe more upmarket. Their vision includes 1930s themed events including "murder" weekends and having the Orient Express pull up at Morecambe Station as part of a package holiday.

An art deco shop could be incorporated into the hotel and vintage cars be used to ferry guests around the resort. They believe the renovated hotel could become a magnet for TV and film location work and could also be used as a training hotel in conjunction with the local college.

Group leader Tricia Heath said: "The Midland Hotel is the most prominent of all buildings in Morecambe. It is vital that it is renovated quickly to signal to locals and visitors alike that Morecambe is being regenerated and has a sound and prosperous future. It is obvious that it would not be viable for the private sector to take on the building, with the enormous amounts of money it would require. The Independent group feel it is essential to retain the heritage of Morecambe and therefore to retain the building as a hotel."

They claim a trust to oversee the Midland could also cover the Winter Gardens and the Harbour Band Arena and Bubbles.

Cllr Heath added: "Morecambe has a very strong future in tourism and we want to see it thrive and prosper again for the benefit of the whole district. We feel radical steps must be taken or once again we'll lose out to those that dare. This trust would need the support of local people to get lottery funding. We have to ask ourselves do we aim for prosperity in Morecambe or do we settle for being a low key housing suburb?"