Theme parks close rides as 60mph gusts batter coast

In Great Yarmouth gusts of around 60mph are sweeping along the coast accompanied by rain showers, although conditions are expected to ease over the next few hours with some areas even seeing sunshine.

Mikey Cole, ride manager at Joyland on Marine Parade, said he had taken the decision not to open at all on what would have been the last day of the season.

He said it was "disappointing" and meant some staff had had a wasted journey into work.

"It's horrible," he said. "The winds are very, very strong and the rain is on and off. If I had the choice I wouldn't come out."

On Saturday they had delayed opening by an hour until midday and in the afternoon the weather had changed making for a better day.

"Looking down the seafront at the moment I can barely see a soul," he said.

Meanwhile, at Great Yarmouth Pleasure Beach the 12pm to 4pm afternoon session had been cancelled due to the high winds.

Albert Jones said he was grateful the forecast looked to be favourable for Fairground Frights which was going ahead from 5pm to 8pm.

Fairground Frights will be held at the Pleasure Beach nightly from October 26 until October 30. (Image: TMS Media)

At Pleasurewood Hills in Corton, Lowestoft, two rides were closed at 12.15pm, The Jolly Roger and the Wave Breaker.

A spokesman said maintenance teams were keeping a close eye on conditions. By 4.30pm it was decided the traditional end-of-season firework display could go ahead this evening, Sunday.

Operators of the travelling fair in St George's Park, Yarmouth, said they still planned to open at 3pm today, although there was a chance they would close early depending on footfall.

Overall Henry Stocks, of Stocks Fun Fair, said they had been well-supported by local people over the four days and were pleased with the turnout.

Forecaster Adam Dury with Norwich-based Weatherquest said winds would ease through the afternoon.

He said there would be "quite a drastic change" with a dry end to the day and even some sunshine.