Visitors will be able to get in free to Dreamland when the Margate venue reopens in April.

The £5 fee is being scrapped from Saturday, April 6 until Friday, May 24, in recognition of the big year ahead for Margate, when the internationally famous Turner Prize will come to the Turner Contemporary gallery.

Dreamland members will have unlimited use of all rides while non-members will be guaranteed fast-track entrance and unlimited rides by buying discounted wristbands in advance online.

The attraction will have an opening weekend party and is also preparing for its 100th anniversary in 2020.

CEO Eddie Kemsley, who rejoined the company in January, said the move was about creating a sense of togetherness for the swell of visitors expected to journey to Margate this year and to prepare for Dreamland’s 100th anniversary.

She said: "2019 is going to be a major moment in Margate’s history.

"Thousands of people will be flocking here for the Turner Prize build-up, many of whom will experience Margate for the first time. This is the perfect opportunity to open our doors and give them the warmest welcome possible with free access at the start of the season.

“When people arrive in Margate, we want them to feel free to explore every part of the town’s creative core - its galleries, its businesses, its beach and its beautiful vintage amusement park. Dreamland is part of Margate’s cultural heartbeat, and we look forward to an incredible 2019."

The 12 acre park, which is one of the oldest surviving amusement parks in the world, has 24 theme park rides including the Scenic Railway wooden rollercoaster.

The park will be reopen for weekends, bank holidays, and from Wednesdays to Sundays during the school holidays.

For more information and to book writsbands in advance, or membership which starts at £50, visit dreamland.co.uk.