PLANS for the revamp of an historic Wirral esplanade - wrecked by more than a century of tidal assault - have been strengthened following interest in a nearby riverfront redevelopment site.

Restoration of Rock Park Esplanade is linked with plans for the entire Rock Ferry/New Ferry water-front.

Wirral Waterfront executive manager David Ball said: "Things are more positive now than previously. We have a London-based developer interested in looking at commercial opportunities at the former Vectra oil-cleaning complex but we are six to eight weeks away from their initial proposals." Mr Ball said that talks were also in progress with the Health and Safety Executive: "We would like to tie it in to the wider regeneration strategy, particularly as concerns have been expressed at the way the esplanade is continuing to crumble."

He said none of the riverfront houses at Rock Park were at risk because of the deterioration of the esplanade. Most were in private ownership - primarily the Rock Park Trust Company.

Mr Ball said: "We would plan to refurbish the esplanade and open it up to public access. But we would have to address concerns about security if this happens."

Restoration of the esplanade is seen as fundamental to the improvement of Rock Ferry waterfront, which would involve major environmental improvements and the creation of footpaths and cycleways linking Rock Ferry with Eastham Country Park.

A scheme to create a £25m marina and marine lake development on the Rock Ferry shoreline has been effectively sunk following the designation of the area as a Site of Special Scientific Interest by English Nature.