Exciting plans to create a major theme park in the Isle of Man appear to have come to nothing.

A report, to be laid before this month's sitting of Tynwald, concludes such a venture would not be financially viable because insufficient people would use the facility to justify the level of investment needed.

The report will be presented to the court by Minister for Economic Development Allan Bell, and it was carried out after George Waft MLC suggested a facility should be built aimed specifically at younger children and their families.

A number of enquiries were made in relation to Mr Waft's idea, including an approach to Merlin Entertainments, regarded as world leaders in the operation of locally based family entertainment venues.

Merlin - which runs Alton Towers, Legoland, Sea Life and Madame Tussauds - said a viable business case for them would require a market size of over seven million within a drive time of two hours.

Figures included in the short, ten-page, report also show the sums of money which would be needed to build a top class attraction.

For example, 'Mutiny Bay', a new pirate-themed area at Alton Towers cost ?6 million, and the new rollercoaster at the same theme park was ?15 million.

The possibility of developing less ambitious 'themed attractions' on the Island was also examined, at locations including Jurby Airfield, Knockaloe Farm and Laxey Glen Gardens.

And the report concludes that future strategic planning should consider their provision.