A water feature with a difference - Meet the Suffolk family with a redundant leisure centre water slide in their back garden

Paul Betts with the former leisure centre slide Archant

A Suffolk family have made a splash by adding 130ft of fun to their back garden.

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L-R: Oscar Betts Brown, Shaun Betts, Hilary Clements-Mann, Marina Betts, Paul Betts, Rachel Betts and Oakley Betts-Brown. L-R: Oscar Betts Brown, Shaun Betts, Hilary Clements-Mann, Marina Betts, Paul Betts, Rachel Betts and Oakley Betts-Brown.

After learning that Bury St Edmunds Leisure Centre was replacing its giant water slide, the Stonham Aspal family saw a colossal opportunity and took the plunge.

The Betts family have since been busily reconstructing the enormous slide in their garden, having carted it 25 miles across country in truck loads.

And they’re only about half way to completing the giant jigsaw of tunnels they hope will eventually snake around the 100-metre garden.

When dad Paul saw the slide being dismantled at the leisure centre, he phoned his sons to see if they were interested.

The leisure centre, showing the slide, in Beeton's Way, Bury St Edmunds. © Copyright John Goldsmith The leisure centre, showing the slide, in Beeton's Way, Bury St Edmunds. © Copyright John Goldsmith

Shaun Betts, 24, thought it was an offer not to be refused. He said: “We had three days to get it back here. My dad used a truck and trailer to get some of it back and my sister rang around to find a lorry for the rest.”

A suitable vehicle was eventually sourced and the mammoth slide transported safely to the Betts household, where the family have already been taking turns trying it out.

Shaun, who remembers using the slide when it was at the leisure centre, said: “We’ve all had a go on it – apart from nan and gran. It still needs a few improvements but we’re getting there.”

The family has several different ideas of how to get the most fun from their big investment – which actually came at a quite affordable fee of £50. They include building a tree house, from where the slide can spiral down to the ground.

What would you do with the slide? Leave your suggestions below.