A MAJOR drive to aggressively market Thanet's potential is part of a long-term blueprint that could see £500million spent in the next 20 years.

Confirmation of the regeneration drive has come from district council leader Sandy Ezekiel.

He said: "We are determined to bring the 'wow' factor into Thanet the area has excellent potential and I am sure that continued sustained efforts will bring results."

Cllr Ezekiel, who is "aware such optimism and confidence will attract cynical responses", added: "I want businesses and residents to believe we can achieve great things."

He said the council is working with the private sector, Kent County Council, the South East England Development Agency and the Government Office for the South East to help realise the dream.

"Exciting and different projects" are planned for Margate seafront but Cllr Ezekiel would not be drawn into firm details "until I am sure they will definitely go ahead".

He believes Margate has tremendous scope and said the council is in discussion with the owners of Arlington House tower block to upgrade it and the arcade beneath.

Dreamland amusement park features high on the Margate masterplan and Cllr Ezekiel is adamant that the Scenic Railway roller coaster will remain as the centrepiece of "a new and exciting leisure facility".

He also hopes the railway station concourse will be upgraded to provide a fitting entrance to the town for visitors, and that the Lido area of Cliftonville can be improved as a leisure facility, possibly with a hotel and residential development.

Thanet's strong heritage will be mirrored in developments across the island and the idea is to attract more money into town centres.

Meanwhile, a traffic impact study is being carried out now by the district council with specialist firms to assess the island's transport infrastructure.

With the development of the airport at Manston, the port at Ramsgate and the centre island retail complex at Westwood Cross, Cllr Ezekiel believes Thanet has "a great potential for an exciting 2006 and beyond".