THE future of a Morecambe theme park is in doubt after it emerged that two of its most famous rides are up for sale.

The Texas Tornado rollercoaster and the Wild Mouse ride are being advertised in a trade magazine and could be moved out of the resort.

The rides, amongst the most popular at Frontierland on Marine Road, were advertised for sale in the trade magazine World's Fair.

Earlier this year, bosses at the park considered turning part of the site into a shopping complex, modelled on the Freeport shopping village in Fleetwood. Although secret negotiations broke down bosses at the park are still considering alternative uses for part of the premises as a result of poor financial performance.

Frontierland is part of the Blackpool Pleasure Beach empire, owned by Lancashire millionaire Geoffrey Thompson.

Only last year Mr Thompson was highly critical of Lancaster council's attitude towards the resort and speculation at the time suggested he may consider pulling out of the resort altogether.

Town hall bosses are now hoping to stage talks with the company in a bid to ensure that the park remains open.

The international trade in fairground rides is not unusual - the Frontierland Polo Tower, now Morecambe's most widely visible landmark, used to be on show in Blackpool.

Nobody from Frontierland was prepared to comment at the time of going to press.

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