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An iconic UK seaside town theme park is set for a major boost this week with the opening of a huge new ride. The ride, which cost £8.72 billion to build, seats 40 riders and has been dubbed a "completely unique experience".

Blackpool Pleasure Beach will officially open Aviktas, a gyro-swing ride, to the public on Thursday (May 21). The record-breaking attraction stands 88ft tall and swings riders at angles of up to 120 degrees, reaching a peak height of 138ft - making it the tallest ride of its kind in the UK. This week's launch marks the start of Blackpool Pleasure Beach's 130th-anniversary season, which will also introduce a number of new rides and attractions.

Aviktas, which will be situated on the former Bowl-A-Drome site, will be outward facing meaning riders will have sweeping views of the sea and the famous Blackpool Tower. It has been shielded from public view during its construction, with the site protected by fencing and hoarding until this week.

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Amanda Thompson OBE, CEO of Pleasure Beach Resort said: "This isn't just a new ride for Pleasure Beach, it's a completely unique experience to UK theme parks as a whole. We have a history of going big and this certainly is no exception. The finishing touches are being added and we're making sure everything is ready for its opening on the 21st."

The new gyro-swing ride will join a stellar lineup of rides at the theme park, including the Big One, which was once the tallest and steepest rollercoaster in the world, and the UK's first double-launch rollercoaster, ICON.

Other rides include Infusion, a fully suspended rollercoaster over water, Revolution, which features a massive vertical loop, and the historic Big Dipper which dates all the way back to 1923.

As well as the addition of Aviktas, the theme park has confirmed its Sandcastle Waterpark will benefit from a major £500,000 upgrade this summer. Meanwhile, the Hot Ice 'XC' Show, which takes place at the Pleasure Beach Arena, will have a brand-new, high-budget production for visitors to enjoy this summer.