Blackpool's bid to become the home of the UK's first super casino is prompting an upsurge in interest from investors, bosses at a leading international hotel consultancy firm claim.

Medium to large hotels with scope for development are attracting the interest of people who have not previously run hotels, according to the Manchester office of Christie + Co.

The comments came after the firm completed the sale of the 50-bedroom Stretton Hotel, North Promenade, to a Birmingham petrol station owner.

Alistair Greenhalgh, who handed the sale, said: "Due to the increase in speculation and interest within this popular resort, purchasers are now looking for medium to large sized hotels with scope to develop over the next five to ten years.

"We are fortunate to be at the centre of a competitive market where well qualified purchasers are pursuing exactly this type of business with a view to long term development.

"It was also beneficial that the outgoing owners had implemented a steady programme of maintenance within the hotel, aimed at not only maintaining existing standards, but continuing to improve their facilities.

"This meant that the hotel proved to be an attractive proposition to existing operators and the lucrative first time buyers market, which has exploded as people expectantly await Blackpool's unveiling as the UK's new Las Vegas of the North."

The two-star hotel's new owner, Gulem Malek, takes over from Sheila Kerr, Joan Bradford and Francis Teeafe who have run the hotel since 1987. The terms of the deal have not been disclosed.