Pleasure Beach boss Albert Jones has taken the wraps off a new £300,000 ride ahead of the park's new season which begins next weekend.

While the Family Star spinning coaster has all manner of ups and downs and twists and turns, he is optimistic about Great Yarmouth's tourism operators having a far smoother ride this summer.

'People are looking for value for money and that is what we are trying to give them, keeping our prices as low as possible. The economic situation is not good but people have still got to go out,' he said.

Mr Jones, whose grandfather began the family dynasty at the seafront attraction in the 1950s, has invested more money this winter than in recent years.

As well as introducing the new rollercoaster, he has carried out a major refurbishment of the famous snails ride.

'Three scenes have been completely redone, including one with pirates, the figures for which have been shipped in from the Philippines,' he said.

Other refurbishment work includes a facelift for the Haunted Hotel; the park's 4-D cinema will be screening a new 10-minute film - Little Ants - for the season.

Mr Jones, who took over from his later father Jimmy as managing-director 15 years ago, has taken on 70 staff for the school Easter holidays and that number will rise to more than 100 in peak season.

His vision is to create all-year-round employment at the park once his £25m large casino complex - The Edge - is built next door.

Final agreements have just been signed with the borough council and the aim is to start construction work in the autumn.