ALTON Towers has promised thrill-seekers a new £12 million ride to replace the Corkscrew.

As workers begin to dismantle Europe's first double-loop roller-coaster today, plans are already in the pipeline for a new ride, billed the "world's first roller-coaster of its kind", to take its place in the park's Ug Land.

Planning permission still needs to be secured, and details of the ride – due to open in 2010 – are being kept a secret.

Russell Barnes, divisional director at Alton Towers Resort, said: "I can't say what it is but it will be something very different."

The announcement came as thousands of people flocked to the park for a farewell to the Corkscrew yesterday.

Commemorative T-shirts were on sale, and everyone who went on the ride during the day was given a certificate to say they were one of the final few to do so.

However, the final spin was reserved for competition winners.

Article continues below

Mr Barnes said it was an emotional day and comments have flooded into the park since the decision to rip-down the 28-year-old ride was announced last month.

He said: "We knew it would have some impact because it has been here for so long, and for many people it was their first upside-down roller-coaster.

"But the reaction has been raw emotion and very, very surprising."

It will take four weeks to dismantle the ride and some of its features are expected to remain throughout the park afterwards.

Student Rob Willetts, aged 19, from Caistor, in Lincolnshire, said: "I have been coming to Alton Towers since I was four and the Corkscrew and the Black Hole were the first two rides that I ever went on. Technology has moved on since then and a lot of the newer rides are more thrilling, but the Corkscrew has sentimental value for me."

Simon Harrison, aged 32, from Nottingham, said: "The Corkscrew was the first roller-coaster I went on. I was 16 at the time but it is still a favourite now because it has so much history.

"I will be sad to see it go, I don't think they should take it down, but if something was to go in its place I'd like it to be something bigger and faster."

Paul Frenna, a 40-year-old project manager, from Bradford, said: "I would like to see something off-the-scale, something like you see in America in its place."