A HAMPSHIRE amusement park looks set to win a six-month battle to save one of its biggest rides after receiving a massive show of support.

Paultons Park launched an Internet campaign after the New Forest National Park Authority (NPA) ordered it to move or demolish The Edge. The park has received more than 1,400 messages of support from people who say it should be allowed to continue operating the ride.

Now NPA members are likely to approve the latest application to keep The Edge when they meet today.

The local parish council has already done a U-turn and withdrawn its earlier opposition to the ride which was installed without planning permission.

Last year the NPA refused a proposal to retain both The Edge and another attraction The Cobra after residents complained about the screams made by people riding The Edge. Two months later an application to keep only The Cobra was approved. Now the NPA’s planning and development control committee is being recommended to give The Edge the all-clear as well.

A report to members says: “Unlike the previous application, an overwhelming majority of representations support the retention of The Edge. This significant amount of support follows a campaign on the Paultons Park website and a mail shot by the company.

“It will also be noted that both Copythorne Parish Council and the district council have withdrawn their previous objections and support the current application.”

However, both authorities say their decision was prompted by the potential implications of refusing the latest proposal.

As reported in the Daily Echo, Paultons could move The Edge to the main part of the site without the need to obtain planning permission. If that happened, the ride would end up even closer to neighbouring houses.

Lady Kara Hawks, chairman of Copythorne Parish Council, said: “We feel The Edge is better left where it is.”