A new ride – inspired by superstar Robbie Williams – will make up the centrepiece of the major investment.

The singer's famous tattoo designs have been incorporated into the striking look of the cars of the South Shore attraction's only new ride for 2010 – state-of-the-art dodgems.

A Pleasure Beach spokesman said: "Robbie Williams, on his last trip to Pleasure Beach, declared dodgems his favourite ride, the tattoo art designs on the cars are inspired by the legendary singer himself."

And as other parts of the park get a facelift, bosses have revealed they will spend £1.6m on a national advertising campaign.

The spokesman said: "We will be conveying the message we are committed to providing family fun and real value for a successful 2010 season for Pleasure Beach and for Blackpool."

As part of the new £2.25m investment, the Big Dipper station has received a £500,000 upgrade, with a new onion-shaped fountain, while the tower and dome have also been renovated.

There is also a new Sculpture Garden, adjacent to the towering Ice Blast and classic Flying Machines, designed by David Harber and Natasha Webb, whose work is already on display at such prestigious sites as Singapore's Raffles Hotel, Dubai, Eton College and Heathrow's Terminal 5.

The gardens comprise of a series of cascading water features, reflective portals, glass walls and steel structures.

FOR MORE ON THIS STORY SEE MONDAY'S GAZETTE.