RISKING life and limb for Blackpool's newest attraction is becoming something of a habit.

Construction workers had just finished battling against time, tide and the elements to get the £1.5m Crazy Mouse roller coaster open on schedule when the emergency services climbed atop the 50ft structure, 1,000ft out to sea.

Fire crews from Blackpool and St Annes were taking part in a mock evacuation similar to that which would be needed should a car become stuck at the top of the South Pier coaster.

Blackpool assistant divisional officer Tony Riley said the exercise went really well with the roller coaster causing no problems.

"We simulated one of the cars becoming stuck at the highest level of the track, evacuating the passengers and releasing the car," he said.

"This sort of exercise is invaluable because it gives us chance to use our equipment in areas we are not used to and also allows us to formulate an action plan for the worse case scenario."

The exercise was part of fire week at First Leisure venues in a bid to make staff more aware of safety issues.

Tides meant they could only work four or five hours at a time and there were also cross winds off the Irish Sea to contend with.

They were also up against the clock as rides operation manager Jimmy Roberts explained: "At one point we were quite concerned that the opening to the public would be delayed but the teams from Reverchon Industries and Fairport Engineering really pulled together."

The Crazy Mouse has nine cars, each carrying a maximum of four passengers, which travel up to 30mph and spin at certain points along the ride at 40mph.

Circuits of the track last two and a half minutes.

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