The ride is over for one of Blackpool Pleasure Beach’s most-loved rollercoasters.

Generations of holiday-making Mancs have taken a bone-shaking, shin-scraping spin on the Wild Mouse.

But now the 60-year-old wooden ride has been closed and dismantled.

In a statement Pleasure Beach bosses said the roller coaster had been scrapped to ‘create an area for exciting new developments’, the Blackpool Gazette reports.

The statement added: “After very careful consideration and planning, our current winter work programme has seen the permanent closure and dismantling of the Wild Mouse and the removal of the facade of the former Trauma Tower attractions. This will create an area for future exciting developments.

“Blackpool Pleasure Beach is a constantly evolving amusement park and has been for the past 122 years. The changes it has seen over the years are what has made it the great park it is today.

“This, coupled with a relatively small amount of space, means that in order to progress and look to the future we occasionally need to alter the landscape of the park to make way for future developments.”

Roller coaster fans reacted with shock at the news.

Writing on Twitter Rachel Hopkin said: “Absolutely beside myself to hear that the Wild Mouse rollercoaster at Blackpool @Pleasure_Beach has been demolished.

“Genuinely. It was one of the best rides EVER. Big mistake to let it go. RIP Wild Mouse.”

Adam Whittaker tweeted: “It’s a real shame that this wasn’t announced last year, but at the end of the day understand it’s a thought out business decision.”

Leigh B wrote: “Cant believe #WildMouse at @Pleasure_Beach #Blackpool has been took down one of the best rides there!! Sometimes new is not always better!!”

Matthew Holmes tweeted: “Sad to hear the #wildmouse has been removed from Blackpool @Pleasure_Beach. A classic that scared me as much as any other ride I’ve ever been on but made me laugh at the same time.”

But Blackpool Pleasure Beach fansite the Pleasure Beach Experience said it was ‘onward and upwards to an exciting future’ adding: “We have a fantastic new ride opening in a few months’ time which will possibly become the best UK coaster in the opinion of many coaster fans. Respect the past, embrace the future.”