Blackpool council in Lancashire, UK has signed up Merlin Entertainments to manage the redevelopment and operations of the Blackpool Tower complex and Louis Tussauds Waxworks when it formally takes over the businesses later this year.

A £10m council-funded investment programme is scheduled to start this autumn, which will see a new Dungeon attraction added to the Tower complex, plus the development of the current observation platform into an 'Eye' branded experience including a 4D cinema preview show. Elsewhere, the nearby Louis Tussauds waxworks is to be converted into a second UK Madame Tussauds attraction with a planned opening date of Spring 2011. The first of the new attractions in the Tower complex is scheduled to open later in the year, with all the work completed for early 2012.

The new developments will join Merlin's existing association with Blackpool, the Sea Life centre on the town's promenade close to the complex. The current restoration programme for Blackpool Tower itself - a listed building - will also continue, with the site's ballroom and circus being retained.

Blackpool council estimates that the plans - part of a regeneration initiative covering the whole town - could bring in an extra 800,000 visitors every year, generating up to £55m more spend across the resort . In a further development at Merlin, Madame Tussauds and Marvel Entertainment are to create a new visitor experience at London's Madame Tussauds attraction.

Marvel Super Heroes 4D will feature a mix of 4D animation and Madame Tussauds wax figures, with appearances by Spider Man, The Incredible Hulk, Iron Man, Wolverine, Nick Fury and The Invisible Woman. Visitors will also be able to 'turn hero' themselves through a series of interactive experiences including walking on the ceiling with Spider Man and stepping into Iron Man's chest shield. Occupying more than 900sq m (9,687sq ft) across three floors, the Super Heroes experience will end in an eight-minute, 4D cinema presentation - created by Threshold Animation Studios - of an all-new Super Heroes adventure.