ABOUT 20 new summer jobs will be created at Flamingo Land as the theme park tries to cope with a surge in visitor numbers.

The new recruits will be used to man a new £4 million ride, which is due to open next year.

A further £4m investment is planned, including a new monkey enclosure at the theme park zoo.

The announcement was made as the park revealed that visitor numbers have increased by 11 per cent compared with last year.

Owners of the attraction at Kirby Misperton, near Malton, have had to bus in 35 staff each weekday from sister attraction, Pleasure Island at Cleethorpes, North-east Lincolnshire, to cope with the demand.

Almost 1.5 million people will have visited Flamingo Land Theme Park and Zoo by the end of the year, compared with 1.32 million in 2002. Part-owner Melanie Wood put the boost in visitor numbers down to its growing reputation.

"We've had a great summer weather wise and that always helps," said Mrs Wood. "I think our success is also due to word getting round about Flamingo Land.

"Having 1.5 million visitors means that we're a major player and we compete with attractions owned by the Tussaud's Group, like Alton Towers, Chessington World of Adventure and Thorpe Park."

The Lost Kingdom, a new attraction for 2003, has also pulled in visitors. The themed area, which spans ten acres, is home to the zoo's most recent arrivals- three hippos, two white rhinos and three giraffes. It also has two new rides, a leisurely train ride, Daktari Express, and a swinging boat ride, Voodoo.

"We're opening the doors to more people now and we're getting a lot more repeat visitors. It's such a full day out that people feel they have to come back again."

Next year the log flume will be scrapped after 16 years of service, to be replaced by another family attraction The Lost River Ride. A total of £4 million will be spent next year on the river rapid ride, African theming, and a new monkey enclosure.

Updated: 10:52 Thursday, October 02, 2003