AN adventure park where children can drive dumper trucks and diggers hopes to get more business executives trying out the machinery.

North Durham MP and Government Chief Whip Hilary Armstrong opened a new building housing a function suite and shop at Diggerland, in Langley Park, near Durham.

The function suite will be used to hold corporate events, which a spokeswoman for the company said are becoming increasingly popular at the theme park.

Ms Armstrong said: "The park will be having more corporate events and is encouraging companies to come along and enjoy a day at Diggerland, as well as kids.

"It's ideal. A lot of executives spend a lot of time driving a desk or a computer, so they can come here and drive a digger now."

The expansion has come only 16 months after the adventure park opened. More than 47,000 people from as far afield as the Midlands, Lancashire and Scotland have visited the attraction.