Visitors to a Pembrokeshire theme park can expect the biggest splash of their lives as Europe's tallest and steepest water ride opens.

Hydro - water's revenge - at Oakwood theme park cost �1.7m and it is hoped will provide a boost to tourism in the region.

This is an outrageous ride and you have to come west to see it

Oakwood MD Paddy McNamara

It is the first ride of its type to incorporate an 85 degree angle and it is claimed to produce the biggest splash by a water ride.

The 121 feet high tower is just 34 feet shorter than Niagara Falls.

Oakwood is one of Wales's top tourist attractions and among the top 10 theme parks in the UK.

More than 350,000 people visit the park each year and it is hoped the new ride will increase this number to around half a million.

The ride's 24-seater boat drops down the near vertcial chute into a one million gallon plunge pool, at a speed of 80 kilometres an hour creating a 45-foot high wave.

The drop is nearly vertical

It proved to be a big hit with those brave enough to try it out. Members of Celtic Divers were among the first to test it.

"The ride is terrifying as you go over the top" - Mark Hammond.

"Totally excellent and it soaks you a lot" - Gareth Davies.

"As a diver, I have never been so wet as I have been on this ride" - Nigel Evans.

"On the map"

Oakwood's managing director, Paddy McNamara said: "It is a very big day for us, Pembrokeshire and the tourism sector in Wales as a whole.

"It is a bold move putting west Wales firmly back on the map.

"We have to develop new attractions like this not only to punch with the big boys but to creep up the list.

Ryan Hackett, rollercoaster fan: "Getting wet is the fun part"

"This is an outrageous ride and you have to come west to see it.

"A new attraction like this does have a knock on effect for tourism providers in the area."

The ride has been given the thumbs up by Milford Haven enthusiast Ryan Hackett of the Rollercoaster Club of Great Britain.

He said: "This ride is absolutely superb and the angle of the drop is fantastic and getting wet is the fun part of the ride.

"I've been all over the world on wet rides and this one is the steepest."

Oakwood is one of Pembrokeshire's largest employers.

Eighty five staff are employed on a full time basis and approximately 400 for eight months of the year.