IT'S been rained off twice in Manchester, but now neighbouring Salford is forecasting fun times ahead - with its own BEACH.

There will be no sea, true, and there's no guarantee of sun either, but there will be plenty of sand when it's laid in Albert Park, Broughton, for just one day next week.

More than 14 tons of it will arrive from Wolverhampton, home to a quarry renowned for producing large quantities of play sand. It is specially made to be safe for children to play in and is ideal for building sandcastles. Traditional seaside entertainment will include a Punch and Judy show and donkey rides.

There will also be street performers Artizani, a bouncy castle, face painting stalls and space hopper football.

Environment spokesman Coun Keith Mann said: "We've never done anything like this before and it's nice to be able to put on something a bit different for people of all ages to enjoy this summer." Despite the city's unpredictable weather, council chiefs are hoping for sunshine. Details of what will happen if it rains have not been revealed.

The beach will be there for one day only next Wednesday, from 1pm to 4pm. Entry is free. The sand will later be used in parks and allotments in the city.

Plans to open a beach in Manchester have been rained off twice.

As reported in the M.E.N. earlier this week, the latest scheme by Sankey's nightclub has been cancelled after bosses decided the weather will become too bad over the next three weeks for their ambitious bid to transform Hardman Square in the heart of the city's new Spinningfields business district.

Similar plans for an urban beach outside Urbis for last year were also shelved due to the grim summer.