The South Hams was bathed in hot sunshine as a crowd waited for the five millionth person to enter Woodlands Park on Thursday 23 August.

A cheer went up as Lisa Cook and her family, on holiday from Bournemouth, were greeted by park owner Pat Bendall, Seawood the Sea Dragon and Spangles the Clown.

"I was amazed as a bouquet of flowers was thrust into my hand," said Lisa.

"I felt like a Queen. My family was given lifetime's membership to Woodlands and Twinlakes Park in Leicestershire.

"When Pat told us we were being taken up in a helicopter I couldn't believe our luck."

Pat added: "This is a very special day for the Bendall family. When we diversified from farming in 1989 we hoped Woodlands would be successful but greeting the five millionth guest was just a dream."

As guests waited for the helicopter to return, everyone was given goodies and surprises while the sparkling quips of Spangles the Clown and the amazing balloon creatures created by Emazdad kept the crowd entertained.

As the Cook family climbed out of the helicopter, husband Nigel was ecstatic. "It really was brilliant," he said. "Devon looks incredibly beautiful from the air. We flew along Slapton beach which looked so fresh and clean, the sea sparkling in the sunshine, it was great."

Jamie Cook and his cousin Liam were soon racing into the theme park to enjoy the watercoasters and family rides.

"It has been really cool," said Jamie. "Nobody at school will believe we were VIP's for a whole day, and we can visit Woodlands every day of our lives, it's amazing."

For more information about Woodlands, phone 01803 712598 or visit www.woodlandspark.com.