TV star Nick Hewer visits Morecambe to investigate '˜Blobby Land' affair

The TV presenter was in the resort on Friday to film for BBC’s One Show.

The Countdown host stayed at the Clarendon Hotel in Morecambe and was also snapped in a local Sainsburys store.

The star interviewed the editor of the Lancashire Evening Post’s sister paper the Morecambe Visitor, Mike Whalley about his memories of the failed Mr Blobby theme park, which opened in Happy Mount Park in summer 1994.

At the time Mr Blobby was a popular TV character on Noel Edmonds’ hit BBC1 show ‘Noel’s House Party’.

Lancaster City Council struck a deal with Mr Edmonds to bring a Mr Blobby themed park to the park.

There was great optimism for the economic boost the theme park could bring to the town. But the park was a flop and closed after just 13 weeks.

A bitter legal battle between Mr Edmonds and the council ensued. The council eventually had to pay £950,000 in damages to Mr Edmonds after claims of misrepresentation and negligence against his company Unique Group were thrown out.

A 2004 report by the District Auditor revealed serious failings in how the council dealt with the matter and there was an estimated £2.6m cost to taxpayers.

Mr Hewer also filmed Morecambe DJ and events promoter Steve Middlesbrough, who worked at the Crinkley Bottom attraction in 1994, outside Happy Mount Park.