A huge 100m water slide will tower over Standishgate in Wigan town centre next month.
Ticket to Slide, which is inspired by a similar design installed on a Bristol street earlier this year, will be constructed by Wigan Council in a bid to raise funds for Wigan and Leigh Hospice.
It is hoped that 700 people will be given the chance to take a turn on the unique slide, which is around 15m longer than the one in Bristol.
There will be lanes to allow participants to race each other starting outside the Grand Arcade entrance and finishing at Wilkinson where there will be a 20m stopping zone.
Fundraising and lottery manager at the hospice, Maxine Armstrong, said: “When I saw a piece on the news about a water slide in Bristol it looked so exciting I knew we had to have one in Wigan.
“We considered a few locations but Standishgate has a natural gradient so it’s perfect.
“Those taking part can wear fancy dress – we just want everyone to help us make a memorable day in Wigan while raising funds for the Hospice.”
Local firefighters will provide water for the slide while several farmers will lend more than 300 hay bales to create the two lanes which will be covered by plastic sheeting and rubber matting.
Cllr Molyneux, deputy leader at Wigan Council, added: “Turning Standishgate into a giant waterslide is a wonderful idea and we were keen to do all we can to make it happen.
“I know many local residents may have seen the waterslide in Bristol and will be very excited to take part here in the heart of Wigan.
“I’d like to encourage the town to get behind this event and help to raise as much money as possible for Wigan and Leigh Hospice.”
Volunteers who can help to construct the slide are asked to contact the hospice fundraising team.
The event will start at 11.30am and finish at 4pm on August 16.
Tickets are available priced at £10 on a first come, first served basis from the fundraising team at the Hospice on 01942 524204 or see www.wlh.org.uk.
Image courtesy of Wigan Council, with thanks
