Construction work has begun on Lancaster’s 60ft Gravity adventure tower.

The tower will be Europe’s first ever ‘flight tower’ and hit a new milestone this week as the multi-level adventure attraction’s central steel structure was installed.

Known as Gravity, the 60ft high heart of the tower is now in place at Lancaster City Council’s Salt Ayre Leisure Centre.

When finished, the £250k installation will give adrenaline junkies the opportunity to test their nerve and leap from ‘The Drop’ at the apex of the structure. Visitors will also have the option of zip-lining or abseiling to the ground.

Bingley based adventure engineers Hangfast created the Gravity project.

Cllr Darren Clifford, Lancaster City Council’s Cabinet Member for tourism and leisure, commented: “Being a UK first, the installation of this magnificent piece of equipment is a significant coup for the Lancaster district.

“As an integral part of the £5m regeneration of our Salt Ayre Leisure Centre which is being coordinated by our developer Alliance Leisure, it is anticipated to attract more than 8,000 visitors from far and wide to the centre each year.”

Meanwhle, the founder and director of Hangfast, John Beers, said: “The flight tower is a significant development in adventure play and brings something entirely new to the market.

“For the first time ever, adrenalin fanatics will have the opportunity to experience the feeling of a free fall from a moderate and yet still incredibly nerve-testing height.”

He continued: “We’re delighted to launch the first Flight Tower, Gravity, here in the UK and to work with Alliance Leisure and Lancaster City Council on the regeneration of Salt Ayre Leisure Centre.”

It is anticipated that Gravity will take four weeks to build and is the latest development in a wider £5 million regeneration of Salt Ayre Leisure Centre.

Last month, the first phase of the site’s new XHeight climbing wall, Energy indoor soft play centre and cafe opened. Further developments at the centre include a 100-station gym, outdoor training area, indoor training space, spin studio and spa.