Doomed high ropes now set to reopen at Derby's Markeaton Park

A Belper businessman read the BBC article about the closure plan

A Derby high ropes attraction which was due to be dismantled has been saved.

In January the BBC reported the Skyline high ropes at Markeaton Park was going to be removed after Derby City Council deemed it "no longer viable".

The council felt finding a new operator and carrying out repairs was not an option.

However, after hearing the news, Belper-based High Low Ropes Course Consulting offered to take the attraction on.

Director Ali Glendinning, who has 22 years' experience in the high ropes industry, has set up a new firm, Tree House Trek, to run the imposing Markeaton Park feature.

Work is now under way to renovate the ropes, with part of it due to reopen to the public later this month, in time for half-term.

Mr Glendinning said: "My wife showed me the BBC report on Facebook that the course was going to be taken down, we thought it would be a real shame.

The Skyline high ropes course had been deemed 'no longer viable'

"We thought we could create something for the public to enjoy."

The 30ft (9m) structure was built in 2015 as part of a £3.4m scheme to improve facilities at the park.

It closed two years later due to vandalism, but reopened for one season operated by Derbyshire County Council as part of an initiative with the city council.

After repairing and renovating the existing course, Mr Glendinning says his firm wants to build a new section.

The attraction was built in 2015, but has been closed for most of its life

He added: "We're really excited to be able to bring the ropes course back into use and we hope people will enjoy using it."

Councillor Hardyal Dhindsa, the city council's cabinet member for communities and streetpride, said: "Dismantling the high ropes course wasn't what we wanted for the park, so we were thrilled when Ali contacted us.

"It's great to be working with a local company to bring new life to what has proved such a popular attraction in the past."