A new surf park and spa hotel could bring more than half a million visitors a year.

And it is hoped that the £50 million double development could be opened in 18 months once planning permission is given.

WATCH: Mr O'Leary speaks about the ambitious plans

It is planned for Betteshanger County Park near Deal.

Stuart O'Leary, head of the popular park, said: "It's all down to planning but we hope for this to be open in the next 18 months.

"As a tourism destination for the area we think it will be phenomenal.

"We're already attracting about 170,000 customers a year to the park. I think that would then escalate up to more than 500,000 customers a year all from as far away as London, all coming down to spend money in the area.

"I think this will make it a fantastic tourism spot."

Mr O'Leary spoke at an exhibition detailing the plans which was held at the park's Glass House and was attended by about 70 people this week.

Visitors were able to view information boards and large screen videos of the project, which is expected to create hundreds of jobs.

The proposal for the surfing experience water park and five star hotel were first revealed last year for the former colliery.

The planned surf park, also described as a wave garden, would be very similar to a existing site in Bristol called The Wave.

This is described as "an inland surf destination that allows people to surf on consistent safe waves all year round without going to the sea."

The site in Bristol includes a 180m surfing lagoon that can generate up to 1,000 waves per hour, ranging from 50cm (1.7ft) to almost 2m (6.5ft) in height.

It is suitable for people of all experiences.

The hotel area would have 120 bedrooms and 15 spa treatment rooms.

Betteshanger Country Park, which is behind the project, includes 230 acres of land and is situated on the former Betteshanger Colliery, which was the largest coal mine in Kent and the last of four to close, in 1989.

It includes walking, running and cycling paths, picnic spots and space for other activities, such as archery, fossil hunting and orienteering.

A new mining museum and visitor centre also opened this year, as well as a new café.

Dover district has 4.7 million visitors a year, reaping £320 million in 2019 and providing 6,071 jobs a year.