The new £1.5m family entertainment park Mattel Play! will be open in time for the Easter weekend.

Mattel Play! Liverpool , just an hour's drive from Manchester , is the first branded attraction of its kind in Europe and will feature Thomas & Friends, Bob the Builder and Fireman Sam.

Construction work is in full swing in the Grand Hall at the Albert Dock , which was once home to the studios for This Morning with Richard Madeley and Judy Finnegan, and general manager Graham Dentith has confirmed the attraction will be finished for the Easter Bank Holiday weekend at the end of March.

Introductory admission prices have also been revealed of £10 for children and £2 for an accompanying adult.

Graham said: "This will be a fantastic children’s attraction with education and entertaining elements which is what will completely differentiate us from your regular soft play centre.”

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The new interactive 13,000 square foot facility will be operated by Heritage Great Britain plc, the group behind iconic tourist attractions and destinations including Land's End and Snowdon Mountain Railway.

Families will be able to get up close to some of their most beloved characters in various zones with rides and interactive activities including Thomas the Tank .

Each character has their own immersive area so kids can walk into the world that they see on TV and have their own adventure.

There will be life size engines including Thomas and Rosie, the Sodor Docks and various other activities to get stuck into.

In Fireman Sam's World you can visit the Ocean Rescue Centre, Pontypandy Fire Station and walk around Pontypandy shops and do various activities as if you were actually there and of course you get to meet Fireman Sam himself.

In Bob the Builder's World you can visit Bob’s yard, go to Bob’s hub, meet Bob and go to Wendy’s workshop and do various interactive activities, plus there will be sand cranes and a large-scale Scoop to play on.

For more information about the attraction visit www.mattelplayliverpool.com.