A new climbing park close to Cheltenham and Gloucester is officially open.

270 Climbing Park, close to the villages of Witcombe and Bentham, is up and running after a month-long launch.

Phase one of the project has seen the completion of the landscaping, as well as the finishing touches to the six-tier high ropes course and 22m tall activity tower, with its jumps and ziplines. The whole course is one of the highest in Europe, with 60 challenging obstacles.

The high ropes and tower are suitable for adrenaline seekers and groups of friends, families, colleagues, school groups or youth groups. It can also be used as challenging training facilities for sport and fitness clubs, the emergency services and military personnel.

As well as the physical benefits, the ropes course provides mental health and other wellbeing benefits.

David Stevens, company director, said: "It's still early days with the project, but we've had some incredible customer feedback so far from people during our trial run. We want everyone to get the most out of their time with us and we're genuinely interested in whether visitors had a good time with us or not.

"Current customer feedback on our software platform places 270 Climbing Park comfortably within the top 10% of tourist attractions and venues across Europe!

"We're pleased to bring such an exciting attraction to the region and to hear that people are enjoying them so much is just the icing on top!"

Work continues to develop the rest of the park.

Upon final completion, the project will see the total redevelopment of the site of the former Bentham Country Club, on the edge of the Cotswolds, into one of the best climbing gyms and adventure activity centres in the country, with activities for all ages and abilities.

Work over the coming months includes the front building being redeveloped to include a 200 seater café, party rooms, retail spaces and offices.

Phase two will see the introduction of a dedicated bouldering gym and fun climbing facilities, opening later this year. Phase three will see the development of the main climbing arena in 2024.

270 Climbing Park recently held a neighbours' day and invited people who live closest to the park in for a complimentary evening on the ropes.

270 Climbing Park has been part funded and supported by The European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development, LEADER Funding Programme and Forest and Tewkesbury Borough LEADER.

When complete, the park will create 50 jobs.