These include the wooden Wild Mouse coaster (pictured), Mistral flying machine, Caterpillar and Meteorite from Pleasureland in Southport, which closed last autumn. The campaign has also secured the same park’s unusual Ghost Train cars and track, the boats and other parts of the former River Caves, a cable car system and a variety of Fun House equipment.

Funding was secured to pay for dismantling and storage of the attractions, which were moved in May and June as Sefton Council and temporary leaseholder Norman Wallis cleared the site ready for a fun fair this summer.

“We had to move it all in a bit of a hurry, but to be fair to Sefton Council, they have a resort to run,” says Nick Laister of the Save Dreamland campaign. “If we hadn’t taken this equipment it would have been demolished and lost for ever.”

Talks are already underway to secure other threatened rides from various parks, and more funding is being sought. Various travelling rides have appeared on the Dreamland site since owner Jimmy Godden ceased trading there in 2003 and a variety of different operators have kept the historic Scenic Railway running.

The heritage theme park, which would feature the Scenic Railway as its centrepiece, features in a concept plan for the redevelopment of the Dreamland site submitted to the Margate Town Centre Regeneration Company. Although it will require grant funding for construction, Laister is confident that once the 7-acre park is open it will be self sufficent.

The Dreamland Heritage Amusement Park (working title) is pencilled to open Easter 2009. To see a copy of the masterplan drawn up by Jean-Marc Toussaint visit: savedreamland.co.uk

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