Camelot Theme Park in Lancashire closes down

Operators said poor summer weather, London 2012 and the Queen's Jubilee affected visitor numbers

Camelot Theme Park in Lancashire has closed, with the operator blaming a decline in visitors for the decision.

The attraction at Charnock Richard, near Chorley, has been open for 29 years and employs more than 150 people during summer months.

Operator Knights Leisure announced it would not reopen for the 2013 season.

Roy Page, managing director of Knights Leisure, said poor summer weather and events such as London 2012 and the Queen's Jubilee hit visitor numbers.

He said: "Following a number of years of declining visitor numbers, the 2012 season proved particularly challenging.

"Whilst we have become used to inclement summer weather in the UK during the past few years, a combination of the wettest summer for 100 years, the Queen's Jubilee celebrations followed by the spectacular television coverage of the Olympic Games during our busiest months of the summer and the school holidays had a major impact on visitors to Camelot.

"I would like to thank all the staff who have helped to make Camelot Theme Park one of the region's most entertaining visitor attractions and our many loyal visitors for their continued support over the past 29 wonderful years."

Lindsay Hoyle, MP for Chorley, said: "I think it's sad. Camelot seems to have had a troubled history in recent times, but it's still popular, people still turn up and come from all over the country.

"I think it does need new investment to revitalise it. Obviously we have had a new owner - people said it was a new beginning for Camelot, but obviously it has not worked out."