First look at 20m Bear Grylls Adventure Park with biggest high-ropes course in Europe before autum

THESE stomach-churning snaps are the first look behind the scenes at the multi-million pound Bear Grylls Adventure Park which will feature the biggest high-ropes course in Europe.

The £20 million attraction is due to open this autumn at Birmingham's NEC after being created with help from the 44-year-old TV personality and survival expert.

It has been designed around real-life challenges faced by the explorer and is the newest UK attraction to be built by Merlin Entertainments, the group behind Alton Towers.

For those brave enough, the 8,000 square metre site will feature indoor skydiving, climbing and the highest free-roam high ropes in Europe – and even a zip line from a Chinook helicopter.

The photos show the huge scale of the extreme rope course, which stands at  an eye-watering 20 metres (65ft) high and involves zig-zagging across rolling beams.

The attraction's Basecamp also features a centre where everyone can learn and practice the skills needed for outdoor survival in extreme conditions.

Visitors will be invited to compete in a series of gruelling challenges to test their mental and physical agility, the adventure experience advertises.

Celebrity dare-devil Grylls said previously about the project: "I have been so lucky to experience some of the toughest environments and challenges the world has to offer.

"When your greatest fears are laid bare, you have to keep your nerve and dig deep.

The dad of three added: "The scale of challenges that can be found at the Bear Grylls Adventure are truly mind blowing and it allows millions of others to find the courage and tenacity to conquer their own Everest. Never give up."

Nick Varney, CEO Merlin Entertainments, said: "The Bear Grylls Adventure is a one of a kind attraction."

However, the adrenaline-fuelled attraction caused controversy earlier in the year after animal activists complained about plans for a 'dive experience' where customers can swim with sharks.

Emily Lawrence, 21, set up an online petition accusing the venue of "greedily exploiting animals" which attracted thousands of signatures.

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But operators Merlin defended its conservation credentials, adding that it would donate a percentage of each dive fee to the charity The Shark Trust.

Grylls is best known as a TV personality and adventurer, brought to fame with his series Born Survivor.

Among his daring exploits are climbing Mount Everest, circumnavigating the British Isles on Jet Skis, and even hosting a dinner party at 25,000 feet in the air.

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