PEMBROKESHIRE will be leading the way in Wales next year with a new attraction that is all set to make a big splash.

Launching in time for the 2018 season will be the Pembrokeshire Aqua Park - a custom-built floating obstacle course with similar fun and features to those seen in television game shows.

The park will be sited adjacent to the Pembrokeshire Wake Park in the south county countryside, which was opened in June by sporty Haverfordwest siblings Mark, Sarah and Stephanie Harris.

The wake park - which propels boarders through the water along straight-line cables - has had an extremely successful first season, and the Harris family have taken the decision to complement it with the aqua park, which will not only be an added attraction but will create a number of jobs.

Said Sarah: "We've had a really good first season at the wake park, much better than anticipated, and there has been excellent support from locals, with people coming two, three and four times a week right up to the end of November.

"It's been a huge learning curve for us all, but we have all worked very well together, and now we are really excited about taking the business to this next level, and becoming more of a destination attraction."

Aqua parks have become successful accompaniments to wake parks in other parts of the UK, but the Pembrokeshire one will be the first in Wales.

Manufactured by a Welsh company, Air Space Solutions of Tredegar, the multi-feature structure will have room for up to 25 people at any one time, who can experience slips and slides, climbing stacks and walls and swings.

Added Sarah: "It will be fun for all age groups and abilities, and can be used for numerous different events such as children's parties, stag and hen parties and team-building."

Work will start in the new year on a new pond on the wake park site at Cotts Lane, Martletwy, with the aim of the aqua park facility opening at Easter.

The creation of more jobs will be for a further two operators and coaches and there will also be recruitment for six lifeguards and staff for the reception area and coffee shop.