AGAINST the odds and amid sightings of famous celebrities, Morecambe's Midland Hotel re-opened its doors to the world on Sunday.

Thousands queued to take a first look at the re-worked art deco masterpiece and the town was "buzzing" with life.

Unconfirmed sightings included the former Smiths frontman Morrissey, Jimmy Saville, designer Wayne Hemingway, Charlatans lead singer Tim Burgess and Ken Morley (Reg Holdsworth) of Coronation Street fame.

Operations director, Olivier Delaunoy told The Visitor: "It's been overwhelming. Nothing can prepare you for 2,000 people walking through the door on your first day of opening. We've had a lot of good comments."

He said over the next couple of months the staff will receive further training and finishing touches will be added to the building.

Hotel manager Matt Redhead said: "It's been absolutely hectic but really good. The adrenaline was pumping. It's been buzzing with people walking around and enjoying the 'wow' factor."

He said the hotel was booked solid for the rest of June and the phone was "red hot" with further bookings. The first wedding party is booked for June 28 and it is booked solid for Christmas parties.

One of the people who has been working on The Midland for the longest is Urban Splash's construction manager Kieran Gardiner, who has fallen in love with Morecambe.

He said finishing work on The Midland was like handing over his baby: "It's been three years and we have put so much into it. I was sad when it started to come together very quickly and I didn't want to give it up."

However, he said he is also happy to see the project nearing completion: "I felt like the king of the castle at the weekend. I had a big smile on my face.

"Now we have to straighten up, sort out the 'snagging' list and formally hand it over. We will probably be leaving here at the end of June."

He said that he would love to be involved in Urban Splash's plans for the redevelopment of Morecambe's central promenade area.

He added: "I sat on the sun terrace with a large Jamiesons on ice on Saturday night and watched the sunset. There's no better place to be!"

* Keep reading your Visitor in the coming weeks for more on the central promenade proposals.