Tennis fans and local businesses have called for the Wimbledon ticket queue to be transformed into a full-blown festival.

The overnight queue for tickets is based in Wimbledon Park for the first time this year, and visitors say the new location has created a unique experience for visitors. So they want the line to become an event in its own right.

Diana Sterck, head of Merton Chamber of Commerce, gave her backing to the queue being used to attract visitors to the park and the borough.

She said: "We have always said we don't want Wimbledon to just be associated with the tennis. The park is a great resource. It's something we would want to be used at length."

Tennis fans pitch their tents in a line and at about 6.30am the following day, are woken to pick up the handful of tickets that are held back for each day's play.

While there are already a number of fast food stalls near the camping area, visitors have said that more refreshment stands and entertainment would make the occasion even better.

Jerome Williams, an American student studying at Roehampton University, joined the queue on Monday afternoon with two friends.

He said: "How much effort you want to put in is how much you get out. Having to camp out is really part of the attraction."

He said the queue was a unique experience that rewarded dedicated fans rather than corporate guests, and something the tournament organisers should celebrate.

Bernie Dudman from Swindon is a regular visitor to the championships, and normally buys tickets through the public ballot.

But after losing out this year, she decided to spend a night under canvas to secure centre court seats.

She said: "We have had a lovely time. It's so well organised, and so British. It certainly adds to the Wimbledon experience."

Council leader David Williams welcomed the proposal, although he said it was unlikely to attract council funding.

He said: "In principle, it sounds like a good idea. If we could possibly enhance the experience of visitors we would be happy to talk to the club about it."

But Johnny Perkins, a spokesman for Championships organisers the All England Club, was cautious about the possibility of expanding the queue.

"The park already has many users and it would really be a massive operation to scale it up. Perhaps we should just let the queue be," he said.