A NEW theme park opened in Swindon yesterday and the Adver was among the first to enjoy the thrills and spills on offer during the summer holidays.

Funzy, a giant 10,000 sq ft inflatable at Playfootball in Kembrey Park, covers three of the five indoor football pitches.

Highlights include two giant slides, a huge inflated swing ball and a ‘death drop’ onto a crash pad.

The perimeter features an obstacle course including giant balls, climbing walls, a huge slinky to crawl through and walking over a beam.

Funzy manager David Hames said: "We’ve had a fantastic start. People are loving it and all the kids seem to be having a great time.

“And that’s the point, to see them playing and being engaged instead of standing watching.”

The blow-up park takes about ten minutes to inflate each morning, and 11 members of staff are on hand to supervise and play with the children.

There are also basketball hoops, a gladiator contest and an enclosed football pitch, among other delights.

“One of the things we’re about is family fitness,” added Mr Hames.

“We want to provide a place that offers a good workout for the whole family.

“With the gladiator contests and the football and other things, we’ve tried to be make it suitable for all ages. Particularly we want it to appeal to older people such as adults and students who might want to join in the fun too,” he added.

The Swindon attraction is the only one in the south of England, and the second in the country after a park opened in Bradford last summer.

There is also a toddler zone for those under 18 months, which features some excellent inflatable unicorns and an age-appropriate slide.

Funzy will be open until September 1.

If there is enough interest it could become a regular fixture on Swindon’s calendar at weekends and more continuously during school holidays.

Tickets cost £9.95 per person, and £2.95 for pre-walkers. Children under four must be accompanied by a non-paying adult.