Dudley Zoo's historic chairlift reopens

The iconic chairlift at Dudley Zoo was finally opened to the public today for the first time in 12 years following a £117,000 revamp.

Families queued for a ride on the attraction, which has been restored to its former glory.

It will give people panoramic views of the borough from the top of Castle Hill before gliding down 125ft on chairs attached to a cable.

Among the first to use the lift were Rachael Fullelove, aged 43, and Ian Round, 47, with their six-year-old son Alex of Brierley Hill. Miss Fullelove said: "It's really great to see the chairlift back again. I remember going on it when I was four."

Zoo visitor Rikerra Clulow also tried out the lift following the opening.

The three-month project to restore the lift included shot-blasting and painting of the 41 chairs and re-fitting all 76 wheels in the roller mechanism. Zoo chief executive Peter Suddock said:?"We are so thrilled; one of the most common questions we are asked by national and overseas visitors is 'When's the chairlift going to be running?'"