Margate’s Dreamland amusement park has been granted £3 million of funding by the Heritage Lottery Fund.

The money will be added to a £4 million cash injection from Thanet District Council to re-open the historic attraction, including the grade II* listed scenic railway, which was at risk of closure.

Earlier this year conservation group SAVE Britain’s Heritage highlighted the park as one of Thanet’s ‘at-risk’ buildings.

Stuart McLeod, head of the HLF for the south-east said: “As Margate’s answer to an early Disneyland, the fund is delighted to award this substantial investment to Dreamland, and, once restored to its former glory, it will not only bring alive the historic rides of yesteryear but boost tourism too.”

Dreamland Trust will run the park, which could attract 350,000 visitors per year.

The department for culture, media and sport will also pay £3.7 million towards the project.