WORK is underway at a Merseyside resort on what is claimed will be one of the biggest indoor play areas of its kind for children in the UK.

The new £1.8m “family entertainment centre”, Bubbles’ World of Play, will occupy 21,000 sq ft in the Lido Building at New Brighton’s Marine Point.

Creating 35 jobs, operator Gloplay Limited have signed a 25 year lease at £125,000 a year.

The move was welcomed by local councillor and cabinet member for regeneration, Pat Hackett, who said it was “building on the momentum of New Brighton’s success”.

The developers plan to install an innovative play frame five tiers high with an area of 8,100 sq ft – room for more than 420 children.

Graham Robinson, managing director of Soft Brick Company Ltd, the installer of the World of Play Frame, said: “The Soft Brick company will be building not only the largest play area in the UK but one we are confident will be described as ‘The Best Play Area in the World’.

“This will be a benchmark site for the next decade. It’s a real feather in the cap for Merseyside and the children of New Brighton.”

Gloplay also plan to offer a large baby and toddler section, and four party rooms offering a variety of themes, food and drink and outdoor activities, and hope to open early in 2013.

The work on the lido building sees the completion of one of the final elements of the £60m redevelopment of New Brighton by Neptune.

The Morrisons supermarket opened last year, followed by the successful all digital Light Cinema and bars and restaurants.

However, Neptune’s revised plans for the lido building – which had initially intended to be a gym – mean the swimming pool – will be redeveloped as a child’s splash pool.

Daniel Hynd, project director with Neptune, said: “The face of New Brighton is changing, and Bubbles’ World of Play will add an extra attraction.”