The Tussauds Group, who run the famous waxworks in London as well as top British theme parks Alton Towers and Thorpe Park, are to be purchased by Blackstone Group
LP for 1 billion pounds ($1.9 billion).

Blackstone's Merlin Entertainments Group will acquire Tussauds from Dubai International Capital LLC, a government- backed buyout firm that acquired the waxworks two years ago, the company said in a statement today. Dubai will receive a 20 percent stake in the combined business.

Blackstone Group LP, who already own London Dungeon and Legoland theme parks will now become the world's second-biggest operator of tourist attractions by visitor numbers after Walt Disney Co., owner of Disneyland. Tussauds draws 14 million visitors a year to its sites.