'Our village will miss demolished Ghost Train'

A decades-old fairground attraction removed by its owner will be much missed, according to past visitors.

Dymchurch Amusement Park said it demolished its Ghost Train as it was "no longer able to meet the required levels of health and safety needed with it being such an old ride".

Park director Mark Woolls said "you couldn't get any parts" for the ride and they "couldn't keep it going".

Residents of Dymchurch told the BBC the ride was part of the Kent village's heritage and they had fond memories of the attraction as children.

"It was a scary ghost train when I was a kid," said village resident Lee Ross.

"We used to love coming down here from London and eventually we ended up moving down here cause it's just a lovely place."

Vicki Anderson, also from Dymchurch, said it was "very scary and lovely going on it" with her family, and that they had had "great times on it".

Robin Barry, from Dymchurch, said: "All my children and grandchildren have been on the ghost train and now it's gone.

"We'll miss it and I hope they can let us have some of the signs, as it'd be a shame to go on the scrap heap."

Paul Jones said the ride was part of "Dymchurch's heritage" and holidaymakers would also miss the attraction.

Dannii Woodward, from New Romney, told the BBC she was "heartbroken" by the news.

She said: "Going and seeing my friends, going to the amusements and going on the ghost train - that's just memories for me when I was a kid, and now it's gone."

Mr Woolls said: "We're looking forward to the future now and are excited about revealing our new family ride, which will go where the ghost train stood."

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