It's the home of fish and chips, candy floss, kiss-me-quick hats and, of course that tower. KEN BENNETT took a trip to Blackpool

STANDING in the hulking shadow of one of the world's biggest and most terrifying white-knuckle rides, Amanda Thompson is truly mistress of all she surveys.

She is the dynamic managing director of Britain's most respected seaside dynasty and arguably the most successful leisure park, Blackpool Pleasure Beach.

By the close of the last season, visitors had happily munched their way through 750,000 burgers, 4.5 million portions of chips and 95 miles of hot dog sausages.

Add the 22,500 fillets of fresh haddock and 18,000 cod sold in the splendid Fish Inn - enough to put a smile on any trawlermans' face - and you are talking serious figures here.

Particularly when you note that more than six million visitors clamoured for fun on the park - with even more forecast in 2006.

Amanda took over the reins of this feisty empire, supported by her brother Nick, the deputy managing director, on the sudden death of their legendary father, Geoffrey, and grandmother Doris.

Now this focussed dynamo is determined to grow and project the family's vision of keeping their 42-acre park with its 147 rides at the very forefront of all that is good about British seaside holidays. "Never mind flying off abroad," she tells me with committed passion. "The best holidays in the world are right here in Blackpool, at the Pleasure Beach and the UK."

Her argument is impressive. "There is something unique and truly British about holidays at the English seaside," she says. "The Great Day Out - or longer - is part of our heritage."

Take a stroll along the sparkling new promenade outside the park and you start to believe she is right... Blackpool really is casting off its brash, blousey, slightly tacky, Victorian image. "We actually opened an oyster and champagne bar on the park," she says. "And it really worked. Visitors are looking for quality - and we pride ourselves on that. We are replacing walkways and investing in the infrastructure to improve the whole experience."

And this year, blonde-haired Amanda - dubbed the Ice Maiden - is going into meltdown on the park's spectacular shows. She promises the flashing silver skates in Hot Ice Show will turn into platinum when the curtain goes up on the 70th spectacular in April. Olympic, world and European figure skating champions will amaze audiences with breathtaking skill and speed - a tradition going back to 1937 when her grandfather commissioned the building of the an arena for the very first ice show.

Today, stunning choreography and chic costumes straight from the catwalk provide the ultimate in extreme entertainment.

And alongside the famous rides - we talked under the Big One, Europe's highest and fastest rollercoaster - the park offers fun and excitement for all ages with a specially dedicated kiddies area.

But if you're a real thrill seeker, forsake the dreaded white-knucklers and latch onto one of the older rides - The Haunted Swing - it will stun your senses for days!

Meantime, across town, the resort's other huge amusement caterer, Leisure Parcs, is promising acres of sparkle, glitter and shine.

Their best-loved favourites - including Blackpool Tower, the Sea Life Centre, Louis Tussaud's Waxworks and Central Pier - will join forces to offer great family entertainment from Easter until the end of the Illuminations.

The spectacular Blackpool Tower Circus, for example, starring the award- winning clown Mooky, Mr Maxi and ringmaster Harvey Seager, will be joined for more than 200 shows by an all-female cast from China and Eastern Europe, finishing each show with the most stunning water finale seen in living memory!

And on Fridays and some evenings throughout the season, The Blackpool Tower Magic show will conjure up great entertainment in the Circus Arena.

The tower's observation deck, featuring four floors to a maximum height of 412ft, boasts rivetingly spectacular views.

If you're really brave, The Tower Top experience features a two-inch thick glass floor known as the Walk of Faith - looking down 380 feet to the Promenade below,

You can even post a letter that has the unique 'posted from the top of the Tower' postmark.

Check out: www.theblackpooltower.co.uk for some amazing facts about Blackpool Tower and circus.

Travel facts * Blackpool Pleasure Beach: The Hot Ice Show runs from April 7 to November 4, 2006.

* For bookings and inquiries on all shows and for further information, call 0870 444 5566. For information on the Big Blue Hotel, call 0845 367 3333. Or check out the park's comprehensive website at www.blackpoolpleasurebeach.com

* Leisure Parcs: For show, attraction or bar information call Blackpool LIVE on (01253) 292029 or visit www.blackpoollive.com