A fountain bar - complete with rooftop water feature - is planned to open in Great Yarmouth as part of an art group's vision to expand further into the community.

The bar, which will serve drinks, coffees and light snacks, will stand as a centrepiece in St George's Park and open throughout the summer season with the hope of becoming a draw for tourists and visitors.

Artists and architects have been brought in to help draw up initial designs for the bar, which is intended to stand as a piece of art in its own right.

Plans for the park side saloon are being put together by Sea Change Arts, the team behind the annual Out There Festival, as part of its scheme to extend its facilities in the town and reach further into the community.

Darren Cross, communications director, said the bar would provide a place for families to relax and enjoy a drink, while youngsters play in the park.

'The vision is to create a stunning work of art, topped with a fountain, that draws people to this beautiful space and into the evolving cultural quarter around King Street.

'We've been working with an architect, artists and local young people to come up with some of the initial designs for the bar,' he added.

Earlier this year Sea Change was awarded a £1.5m Arts Council grant to kick start plans to upgrade its HQ - the Drill House in York Road - into a fit for purpose 'circus creation centre'.

This work will involve expanding into the derelict alleyway beside the building providing an outside space for visiting circus companies and classes, and converting three garages that back onto the road.

Inside, a retractable partition will be installed that will allow the hall to be split into separate spaces so rehearsals and classes run at the same time.

Mr Cross said: 'The partition will enable us to have two activities going on at once, which is quite key as we can host two companies at once. It also means the circus skills for young children can go on at the same time.

'It doubles our capacity.'

The hall will also be kitted out for circus work with rigging points installed so a swinging trapeze can be used. And further upgrades will include modernising the boiler and heating system and insulating the roof to help reduce running costs.

Sea Change has been in discussion with Great Yarmouth's Preservation Trust to draw up the plans to ensure work to the historic listed building is carried out sensitively, and can be enjoyed by the whole community.

The first phase of work at the hall is hoped to start next month and be completed by February next year.

Sea Change has stressed the fountain bar is very much in an early 'conceptual stage' but if all goes to plan it is hoped to be open by Easter 2016.