It’s no wonder staff at the Riviera International Centre at Torquay were full of hot air….for after waiting 10 months for a giant inflatable it arrived from Belgium and a seam split!!

But there was no need for the staff to feel deflated for too long…because the huge Plonkasaurus was quickly returned and has arrived back…..repaired and ready to offer children hours of fun.

Plonkasaurus is the latest attraction at the Waves Pool and was specially ordered from Boing Inflatables in Belgium in May 2004. But owing to a technical fault with the machinery needed to make such a giant inflatable, it didn’t arrive until a few weeks ago.

But the staff were deflated when they discovered it had a tear and it had to be returned to Belgium for repair work. But within four days, it was returned ready for action.

The inflatable is so big that staff at the Waves Leisure Pool have had to undertake special training, including setting it up, inflating and de-rigging procedures, manual handling training, health and safety and risk assessments.

Plonkasaurus will be coming out to play on two Fun Evenings – Wednesdays and Fridays and will keep around 20 kids amused at any one time.

However, because of its size Plonkasaurus can only play with children who are eight and over.

Waves Leisure Pool Manager Tanya Brimicombe explained: “We are introducing the Fun Night as a special promotion. Adults will be able to swim free while the children amuse themselves on Plonkasaurus. There’ll be special prices and will include a child’s combi meal in Neptune’s Galley afterwards.”

The Wednesday fun will start at 5.30pm until 8pm and Friday’s 4pm until 9pm.