THRILL-SEEKER Nikki Williams was one of the lucky winners of a seat on the inaugural ride of Alton Towers' new roller-coaster, Th13teen yesterday.

The 26-year-old recruitment consultant and chicken breeder was one of 18 roller-coaster enthusiasts selected to ride Th13teen, following a boot camp which put 30 people through a number of endurance tests.

Nikki, of Duddell Road, Smallthorne, said: "The boot camp was tough but fantastic. I've been excited about Th13teen for the past year and I wanted to prove that I was willing to do anything to be one of the first riders.

"Th13teen was even better than I expected and I was so thrilled to be one of the first people in the UK to experience it. I'll definitely be back for more."

Th13teen, which replaces the Corkscrew, is the world's first free fall drop roller-coaster.