Madame Tussauds has opened the doors of its new Blackpool attraction to the public - part of a wider revamp of the resort's tourist offer being undertaken by Merlin Entertainments.

The new waxworks is the first Madame Tussauds-branded venue in the UK outside London and boasts figures such as Susan Boyle, Bruce Forsyth and television personality Gok Wan. Visitors will also be given the chance to take part in television shows such as The Jeremy Kyle Show and I'm A Celebrity Get Me Out of Here.

Blackpool Council corporate director of places Helen France said: "Thousands of visitors will come to Madame Tussauds and they will all be spending money in the town which will help to create local jobs for local people." Last year, the council bought a number of iconic properties and is working alongside Merlin to overhaul the resort's offer, which will include a revamp of the Blackpool Tower complex.