Couple win prize for 'unique' theme park design

Portal Riders beat off competition from more than 30 countries to win a £20,000 prize in the Storyland Studios challenge

A couple have said they are still "in disbelief" after winning a competition for designing a "unique" theme park ride.

Richard and Amy Hale, who live near Weymouth, Dorset, said that after seeing other submissions, they had almost withdrawn their entry from the challenge by the firm Storyland Studios.

But Portal Riders, which envisions a dark water ride through fantasy worlds, beat off competition from more than 30 countries to win a £20,000 prize.

Mr Hale said they decided to enter the competition after he recovered from bowel cancel treatment.

"We just thought 'We've got nothing to lose, let's just go for it'," his wife said.

Mr Hale said he had decided to "come out fighting".

He said: "We tackle every day as it comes and we don't shy away form any challenges."

Mr Hale said the boats in Portal Riders stood still, allowing the fantasy world to come to the riders

The couple received the news weeks after they had heard they had made the top 10.

"It was one of those most surreal moments, where we were both screaming and doing a happy dance around the bedroom," Mrs Hale said.

"When we looked at the quality of the other submissions, I honestly didn't think we stood a chance, I tried to withdraw it."

But Portal Riders emerged as the winner and they were flown to Florida to collect the award.

Mr Hale described it as "an indoor dark boat ride", developed using the latest filming technology.

He said: "For most boat rides in Disney or Universal, you get a small boat and you travel around to the world you're seeing.

"This is quite different - the boat stays still and the world comes to you."

Mr Hale has been involved in creative projects for years, including Christmas grottos

One of the Storyland founders told them that it "stood out straightaway".

"It was so unique, there was nothing else like it," Mrs Hale said, referring to the feedback.

Her husband said he had always been creative, having been part of building Christmas grottos, designing Sea Life Centres and painting murals.

He now designs exhibits for the Tank Museum in Bovington through his company Inspiring Heritage.

"I've had some amazing projects but nothing to this level," he said.

The couple decided to enter the competition after Mr Hale recovered from bowel cancel treatment