BOSSES at Adventure Wonderland in Parley say they are now riding on a crest of a wave after borough planners agreed to a new water ride at the park against the recommendation of officers.

Planners had been recommended to refuse the application for a junior raft ride on the grounds that its design would intrude on surrounding green belt land and generate additional visitors causing traffic gridlock.

But despite this, councillors unanimously gave the go-ahead for the new attraction to be built in an underused area of the park.

Bosses at the children's adventure park situated next to Bournemouth Airport had stressed the need for the new ride if the park was to stay in business and compete with other local theme parks.

Park boss, Russell Lucas-Rowe, said: "I am thrilled that once again councillors have recognised the huge economic impact that the park has on the local economy.

"This will put the park into a different league and provide both local families and visitors to the area with an exciting water-based ride.

"Our customers have led the way with this one specifically asking for this type of log flume attraction, so at last we can start competing properly with the beach."

The new ride will consist of log boats, which will take the riders up to a seven-metre peak where they will then plunge down into a man-made themed meandering stream.

Its target audience is families and younger children.

It will be shorter in height than any of the existing buildings in the park says Mr Lucas-Rowe, and it is hoped that it will be ready for the 2008 season.