The first theme park based on the life of playwright William Shakespeare will be built in the US after failing to find the right site in Britain.

For 13 years Kris Kliszewicz, chairman of Shakespeare's World, has tried to build a visitor experience based in the writer's birthplace Stratford-upon-Avon in England.

It's no theme park, there's no mechanical rides

Kris Kliszewicz Shakespeare's World

But he told the BBC's World Business Report that difficulties gaining planning permission forced him to accept an offer from the US.

"I was approached by a group of Americans and within weeks we had the deal tied up," he said.

"People seem to think that Shakespeare belongs to Stratford-on-Avon and nowhere else," Mr Kliszewicz said.

"But he belongs to the world and if England can't do it, then why shouldn't it be done somewhere else."

Mr Kliszewicz had originally proposed a 30-acre site in Stratford, but the Royal Shakespeare Company turned down a partnership deal as "inappropriate".

No theme park

The first Shakespeare's World, will open for business in the Pennsylvania town of Midland at a cost of $200m.

But Mr Kliszewicz denied it would be a Disneyland-type venue.

"It's no theme park, there's no mechanical rides," he said.

"It's a complete faithful reconstruction of Stratford in his time and parts of London as it was, and they will be living centres and the houses and businesses will be functioning."

He expects to attract more 500,000 visitors, including thousands from Britain, to the park site, just outside Pittsburgh.

Further Shakespeare's Worlds are planned for Russia, China and, eventually, the UK.