A NEW £1million ride is taking shape at Southend seafront's famous Adventure Island attraction with the aim to be fully open this summer.

Construction is underway at the Western Esplanade theme park's new drop tower which was teased by bosses last year.

The ride was delivered to Southend at the beginning of the week after being tested in Italy.

Here's all the details thrill-seekers need to know about Adventure Island's newest addition...

Last month Marc Miller, managing director of the Stockvale Group, which owns Adventure Island, joined the firm’s head of engineering in Italy to test out the new attraction.

Standing at 38-metres, the new ride is even taller than the City Wheel attraction (36-metres). 

The attraction - named “Vertigo” - will see 16 customers slowly rise to the top before they are sent plummeting back down.

The ride will also also be cycled as a rotating viewing tower on occasion to offer unrivalled views of Southend and out to the Thames Estuary.

This is following the success of the City Wheel with older park visitors.

An opening date is yet to be revealed but will soon as bosses aim to have it open and fully operational before the summer.