Will you dare visit Hobs Pit in Lowestoft?

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On Saturday screams could be heard in north Suffolk as the first brave people tried out the latest ride at Pleasurewood Hills in Lowestoft –Hobs Pit.

Set in an abandoned mine shaft which was stumbled upon by staff at the park, the ride is claimed to be the scariest ride in the country as 'paranormal' powers are unleashed to get people jumping with fright.

Using computer technology and good old-fashioned live horror thrills, the ride is made up of walk-through and seated sections and lasts a terrifying 10 minutes for those brave enough to tackle it.

Such is the horror unveiled in Hobs Pit that children under 12 are not allowed into its depths and expectant mothers and people with heart problems are best advised to avoid it.

On Saturday the first people to go on the ride were winners of competitions run by the Eastern Daily Press and the Norwich Evening News, and their sister papers the Lowestoft Journal and the Great Yarmouth Mercury.

First in were Robert Erskine, 42 from Bowthorpe, Norwich, Dale Webb, 45, from Burgh Castle and Chloe Vincent, 14, from Carlton Colville with three of her friends Rebecca Askew, 13, Ashley Hobbs, 13, and Melissa Quadling, 13.

Mr Erskine said the ride was 'great' and young people would 'love it'.

Mr Webb, a roofer, said: 'There were one or two things that made me jump up.'

Chloe said: 'Even though I expected something to happen I did scream when it did. I think I trod on a hand and screeched.'

The special effects for Hobs Pit were created by the park's illusionist Sean Alexander and Rob Ostir, who has worked on films such as Mars Attacks and 2012.

It is hoped up to 1,000 people every day will go on the new ride which is part of a £3.5m investment by owners the Looping Group.

It is one of four new attractions.The others are Moby Dick, Pedalos and a tea cup ride.

Alexis Camelin, general manager, said: 'Hobs Pit is the first type of its ride in the UK and we are all excited about it here.'