ONE of the county's top attractions yesterday lost a planning battle over one of its newest white-knuckle rides.

Government inspectors have upheld Ryedale District Council's decision to take enforcement action against Flamingo Land, near Pickering.

It means theme park bosses will have to remove the red-and-white cladding from the sides of the 55-metre Cliff Hanger ride. They will have to remove a red light from the top and the lattice work of the tower will have to be painted in an agreed colour.

In his report planning inspector Paul Morris said the tower was a "distinctive and obstructive feature".

He said: "In my opinion the tower as built looks like a solid pillar and the cladding has enabled the tower to be painted in vivid red-and-white bands which, together with the light structure, serves to emphasise the solidity of its appearance and contributes substantially to its obtrusiveness.

"As might be expected with a structure of this height, the tower is mainly seen against the sky and there is nothing to diffuse the solid appearance and the starkness of the red-and-white banding.

"It looks completely out of place when seen from a distance within this rural landscape, and this is more so because the other rides' structures are not prominent and the tower looks totally isolated."

He added: " I find that the tower ride, as built, is obtrusive in views from the surrounding area and therefore out of character with the rural landscape."

Ryedale councillors originally gave permission for a latticed tower. When the red-and-white cladding was revealed neighbours complained it was an eyesore.

Last night, senior staff at Flamingo Land were still considering the inspector's report and a spokesman for the park said they would be issuing their response once they had analysed it fully.

However, the development control manager for the district council, Gary Housden, said: "We are pleased with the decision made by the inspector which wholly supports the council's decision."