A multi-million pound hotel and apartment complex is proposed for Whitehaven town centre.

Plans have been revealed for the ambitious scheme that would see the prominent former bus station site house a 50-apartment complex, with a hotel built on the empty bus depot site opposite.

Carlisle-based firm North Associates is behind the scheme, on behalf of landowners Britain's Energy Coast (BEC), and the public is invited to view the initial plans and make comments at the United Reformed Church, James Street, Whitehaven, today (Thursday) between 3pm and 7pm.

The apartment block would be made up of a mix of one- and two-bedroom units, while the hotel would have up to 150 rooms on the upper floors, with a bar/restaurant and meeting rooms on the ground floor.

A spokesperson for North Associates, which is also behind the housing and office complex on the former Kangol site at Cleator, said: "The plans displayed at the event will be indicative only. The opportunity will exist to comment on the proposed scheme as part of the pre-planning process.

"The comments received will be reviewed and taken into account where possible within the final plans for the site.

"The project team are committed to engaging with the community and interested parties as fully as possible and we look forward to meeting everyone at the event."

Copeland's mayor Mike Starkie will be attending the drop-in session and urged others to take part. He added: "We have worked hard to tackle this dilapidation here - and widely across the borough - and it remains a key priority for us.

"It is positive that the potential redevelopment is moving a step closer with this public consultation."

The bus station was opened in 1931 and was only the second covered station in the UK at that time. There was a public outcry in 2002 when Stagecoach decided to shut down and sell off the station, after which passengers had to use stops on Lowther Street, Duke Street and Preston Street.

The site has since fallen into disrepair, and although part of the land was sold to create Wetherspoons, the then owner, Torquay-based Whitehaven Marina, struggled to secure the future of the remainder of the land as plans including a hotel, office and homes fell through.

In 2013, Copeland Council agreed to the demolition of the bus station on safety grounds. BEC bought the site for an undisclosed amount in February 2015 and has been working towards its redevelopment since.