THE booming Adventure Island seafront amusement park has celebrated a record year with more than two million visitors passing through its gates in the past year.

Owner Philip Miller revealed visitor numbers had risen by 13 per cent over the 2008 figure, defying the economic downturn.

The news came soon after it was revealed the number of people paying to go on Southend+Pier">Southend Pier also increased steadily.

June saw the highest admissions to the pier in four years – with 25,083 visitors, compared to 24,444 last year, 22,111 in 2007 and a mere 14,270 in 2006.

It is thought an increase in tourists this year is partly because the recession has meant many families have less money to spend on overseas holidays.

Mr Miller, Adventure Island’s chief executive, said: “Because of the financial situation, more and more people are choosing to stay and holiday in the United Kingdom rather than going abroad. Southend proved to be the warmest and driest place in the country, so it’s no surprise people are coming here for a great family holiday.”

Tourism is estimated to be worth £275million to Southend’s economy and is said to support 17 per cent of all the town’s employment.

Mr Miller said the new Rage rollercoaster had been voted the country’s most thrilling ride by BBC1’s Blue Peter.

Adventure Island now also had Over the Hill – the new £1million ghostly family adventure ride and the new-look American Whip.

He added: “We have free entertainment and illuminations during the Light Fantastic weekend evenings during the autumn and I am sure visitor numbers at Adventure Island will continue to grow.”

Light Fantastic is a light and a laser spectacular staged by Adventure Island since the traditional illuminations were dropped by the Southend Seafront Illuminations and Business Association, on the grounds of cost and the age of some of the equipment.

Adventure Island first came into existence in 1996 when the original Peter Pan’s Playground, on Western Esplanade, was extended to take in the old boating lake site, to the east of the pier.