Blackpool may still be holding out for a super-casino, but bosses at the town's Grosvenor casino have splashed out £3.5million on a facelift.

The newly labelled G Casino, officially opens tonight.

Management say the transformation has turned the former Sandcastle Casino from a late night gambling stop, to an ideal place for an evening out.

General manager Dawn Higgins said: "G is the new brand of casino, with a more modern concept and a wider variety and appeal.

"In this day and age casinos are no longer just a place to gamble, we offer an excellent restaurant, nice bars, regular live entertainment, as well as features like gaming rooms and card rooms."

One of the prize assets of the casino's new look is the poker room, which is now the biggest in the UK, seating up to 250 people at a time.

"The place has changed beyond recognition," said Dawn. "There's a new restaurant, mezzanine floor, a big poker room, a bigger stage for live events and the ceiling above the bar has been raised.

" People that haven't been in for a while will be shocked at the changes, although we've had a few regulars in while the work has been in progress, playing around the dust."

The possibility of a super-casino arriving in the resort in the coming years doesn't concern Grosvenor bosses either.

Dawn said: "We can't worry about that, it's probably a few years away if it does happen, and it will be good if it attracts extra people to the town. I'm sure they would try out more than one venue if they were here."