ART DECO fans and supporters of Morecambe's Midland Hotel are hoping to raise enough cash to buy the famous landmark and restore it to its former glory.

The Friends of the Midland Hotel have joined forces with the North West Heritage Trust to launch a feasibility study to see if it is possible to renovate the hotel and win financial backing for their plans.

There has been a flurry of interest in the hotel recently following news that Frontierland is to be redeveloped by Morrisons and the Pleasure Beach Company. But the Friends fear that the new potential buyers have alternative plans for the Midland and it will cease to be a hotel. The feasibility study will involve looking at the current condition of the building and also the possibility of future funding from heritage groups. Chair of the Friends, Sue Thompson, said: "Ideally we want to see the Midland as a thriving hotel in keeping with its art deco history. It would attract people from all the world. A lot of art deco fans would come here just to stay in an authentic art deco hotel and staff could even dress in period costume. I'm sure it would be a fantastic success but we've a long way to go before then."

She added: "For a start all the windows will needs replacing and then there's the heating. That in itself is going to cost a fortune. People have got to realise that there are no quick fixes, it won't happen overnight. Everything has to be done in keeping with its original style. The last thing we want is a change of use. If that happens then everything that is special about the Midland will be lost."

If the feasibility study suggest the hotel has a future then the Friends will approach organisation such as the Heritage Lottery Fund and English Heritage.