Wooden rollercoaster set to open

One of the country’s leading theme parks is set to open the first wooden rollercoaster built in the UK for 21 years.

Alton Towers’ new Wicker Man rollercoaster will also feature a six-storey flaming structure in what the theme park claims is the first such ride to combine wood and fire.

The £16 million project boasts a 2,028 ft track, the Staffordshire attraction said.

A 57.5ft “wicker man” will appear to burst into flames as thrill-seekers race through the structure three times on a wooden track.

The rollercoaster, which shares its name with the British 1970s classic horror film starring Christopher Lee, is due to open to visitors this spring.

Bradley Wynne, the theme park’s creative lead, praised the new ride and said: “We hope visitors will be blown away by Wicker Man’s breathtaking scale whilst the primal essence of the wooden coast- er and astonishing effects will leave them delighted, exhilarated and eager to ride again.”

Andy Hine, the chairman of the Roller Coaster Club of Great Britain, said: “We’ve been hoping that Alton Towers would invest in a wooden coaster for a long time, and we’re so pleased it’s finally coming with Wicker Man.”

Alton Towers said “the safety of guests has been paramount” in building the ride, which has involved “rigorous testing and hundreds of training hours for ride operators”.