A THEME park will create 35 jobs after plans to build a £5m woodland holiday complex were approved.

Bosses at Lightwater Valley, near Ripon, said staff working at the 106-chalet development would be paid a total of £800,000 in wages and the local economy would receive a £10m boost.

Simon Edward, the park’s marketing manager, said work on the extension would begin in November and the chalets were expected to be completed in time for next year’s summer season.

Before Harrogate Borough Council approved the chalets plan last week, Lightwater Valley had been facing closure after losing the equivalent of 40,000 visitors last year mainly due to poor weather.

Mr Edward said both the new employees and the existing 243 staff could look forward to a “secure long-term future” for the park.

He said the park was also preparing to announce other major schemes, but declined to reveal what they would be.