Four new super rides deemed to be the 'tallest and fastest' of their kind in the country are being opened at a Staffordshire water park later today. (August 28)
The adrenaline-pumping new rides at Waterworld, in Stoke-on-Trent, will be officially opened this afternoon by former World's Strongest Man Eddie Hall - who hails from North Staffordshire.
The rides - which tower up to 16.5 metres above ground level - are part of the new Tornado Alley zone at the complex and are at the centre of a massive expansion at the Festival Park attraction.
Waterworld owner Mo Chaudry said: "We believe the rides on our top platform are the highest in the UK - and Thunderbolt is also the fastest.
"The opening of these rides marks the end of a mammoth construction project, and the first stage of a huge new era for Waterworld which cements our position as the UK's number one indoor tropical aqua park."
In addition the the new rides, Waterworld is undergoing a major expansion project in what is being described the largest single investment in the history of the business.
The investment - which coincides with the attraction's 30th anniversary year - includes a two storey-extension which will boast:
A new water-themed indoor Adventure Mini Golf
A state-of-theart M Club spa and fitness facility
A major upgrade of the changing rooms including 1,000 digital lockers
A new-look front-of-house play zone and reception area
A children's soft play zone
Mo added: "This all adds up to the biggest single investment in Waterworld's 30-year history, creating new jobs and providing work for local contractors."
Waterworld generates around £13 million for the local economy every year, according to economic impact research carried out by Staffordshire Tourism.
At the moment, it attracts more than 350,000 visitors a year, but the expansion is expected to see that figure increase to more than 500,000 annually
