DREAMLAND at Margate will be opening for the summer season, it has finally been confirmed.

A contract that will see theme park operator Harry Ayres running the park for the next two years has been signed.

Mr Ayres said: "I’ve agreed to take over the park for two years and we are now in the planning stages as to what we will be bringing to Margate.

"I’m afraid there is not much I can say at the moment as its early days but I will say that there will be a circus on the site and we will definitely put on a good show for the visitors to the town.

"I can’t give you a definite opening date but I’m determined it will be in time for the summer season,"

The news follows weeks of speculation and rumour but those eager rumours very nearly caused the deal’s downfall.

A Dreamland insider who did not want to be named said: "All the rumours nearly meant the deal would not go ahead. I heard that the people who matter were very upset about the rumours and threatened to pull out."

Despite that the park’s opening has been greeted with delight by councils and Nick Laister of the Save Dreamland Campaign.

Cllr Iris Johnston said: "I have heard that the Scenic Railway will be up and running and I’m delighted that the negotiations have come to a successful conclusion.

"I understand it’s been touch and go for several weeks and this is good news for not only Dreamland but nearby traders that a solution has been reached."

The leader of the council Sandy Ezekiel said: "This news means that the new owners of the Dreamland site have been given a two-year window in which to decide what to do with it. They know that the council will only accept leisure on the majority of the site and have to plan with that in mind."

Mr Laister said: "This is the news we’ve been waiting for as it’s been a rumour for a long time.

"We just want to see the place open as Margate had such a disastrous season last year as the park didn’t open until July. It just goes to show how important Dreamland is to Margate.

"I’m happy that the place will keep going while its long term future is decided."