FORGET glow-in-the-dark plastic skeletons and rattling chains associated with run-of-the-mill ghost trains.

If you want the ultimate horror experience get yourself down to Blackpool Pleasure Beach and step inside the Pasaje del Terror.

Live actors who jump out on you and come within inches of your face, sound effects to scare the pants off the bravest of punters and even climate control to make you shiver on cue, combine perfectly for the new £2 million attraction which was officially opened on Monday (May 11).

VIPs, local celebrities and the country's media were invited to grope their way in the dark through the likes of Dracula's resting place, Freddy Krueger's basement and the chainsaw murderer's cabin - all without knowing who was lurking around each corner nor whether they were going to get out in one piece.

Managing director Geoffrey Thompson brought the Spanish Pasaje del Terror to the resort after experiencing it in Orlando and Torremolinos.

"I was suitably terrified and thought why should the people of Blackpool be happy when the Spaniards and Americans were being frightened," he said.

"So I brought the attraction here to scare the pants off people."

And that's just what has happened.

A sheepish looking Richard De Vere, Mystique illusionist, emerged saying: "I've never been so frightened in my life.

"The uncertainty of not knowing what's going to happening is the worst bit."

A sentiment echoed by Radio Wave's John Barnett who said: "I came knowing I was going to see a horror experience but had no idea how frightening it was going to be."

Jane Wells from Blackpool's Grand Theatre added: "It was brilliant. We had a screamer in our group which added to the suspense and it was so realistic."

Stiff drinks are available in the Horror Bar at the end of the terror tunnel and there are two appropriately-named chicken exits along the route should anyone find it too much.

Such is the interest for the new attraction that one party has even booked it for a function, the idea being that guests will have to go through the Pasaje before joining the party.

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