Thrill-seekers are to get a special treat – with the arrival of a 230ft white-knuckle ride in Manchester city centre.

The so-called Starflyer will hoist riders almost as high as the town hall clock tower before spinning them round at speed.

Council chiefs believe it could attract up to 10,000 people a week when it arrives in Piccadilly Gardens on March 29.

And some of the cash generated by tickets – which will cost £6 for adults and £20 for two adults and two children – will go into a pot to support future events in the city.

The ride will be open from 10am-10pm during its three-month stint in the city.

It is being billed as the first step in making Piccadilly Gardens a ‘family-friendly’ destination – with a children’s play area set to follow in the summer.

Pat Karney, the town hall’s city-centre spokesman, said: “In the Manchester Starflyer, we have a ride that offers not only white-knuckle excitement, but is also a real statement – a brand new icon of the Manchester skyline – which will attract thousands of people to the city centre.”

The Starflyer, owned by the Mellors Group, can carry up to 24 people at a time.

It has already been used on London’s South Bank during last year’s Olympics.

Richard Spurr, of the Mellors Group, said: “We are hugely excited to be bringing such a spectacular attraction to the heart of Manchester for the very first time.”

Passengers must be at least six-years-old.