A Kent town has unveiled

plans for the world’s first heritage amusement park.

The world-famous Dreamland seaside site in Margate has been at the centre of false dawns and failed schemes for decades.

But the latest multi-million pound project has fired the imagination of residents, businesses, politicians, the local authority, groups and organisations.

More than 400 people rolled back the years as Dreamland’s past and present met under the umbrella of the new scheme at the town’s West Coast Bar, with candyfloss and popcorn, music, costumed usherettes and archive film footage fuelling a nostalgia for the park in its heyday and offering a glimpse of what could be.

Sarah Vickery, treasurer of the Dreamland Trust that administers the Save Dreamland campaign, said: “We want Dreamland to be associated with having fun again. It is not about concrete block paving, desolation, sadness and fires. The heritage park plan is all about making Dreamland and Margate all about having a good time."

Cllr Mick Tomlinson, former town mayor and regarded as Mr Margate due to his 50-year involvement with Dreamland and the carnival, said: “This is a step in the right direction as part of rejuvenation plans to bring the dear old town back to life.”

The Trust has worked with Thanet council and Dreamland owners the Margate Town Centre Regeneration Company on what is being called “a thrilling theme park from the past.”

It is hoped work on the park could start later this year, with an opening in 2012.

The £12 million park would be built around the Grade II listed Scenic Railway, the oldest roller coaster in the UK. It would feature some of the last surviving examples of well-known amusement park rides, many of which are the last surviving examples of their type and have been rescued by the Save Dreamland Campaign from parks that have recently closed down.