An Olympic gold medallist was among the first to try out some new adventures at a holiday park which has had a £17.5 million makeover.

Athlete Kate French MBE, from Meopham, launched the new activities on offer at Haven's centre in Allhallows. It is the firm's biggest investment to date.

The cash injection has been spent across the park in a range of new thrill-seeking outdoor activities, modern accommodation, and a wide selection of food and drink options.

Guests can take full advantage of the new Seahorse Sands Adventure Village which includes The Jump, first introduced at Haven’s Craig Tara park in 2019.

Those brave enough to take on the challenge can experience a freefall from two different height platforms onto a giant airbag.

Kate, who was the highest finishing British modern pentathlete at Rio 2016 before taking gold for Team GB in Toyko 2020, is no stranger to high adrenaline and said she would have loved to experience activities like this in her local area when she was growing up.

“It’s important to teach children about keeping active and trying new things. Even as an adult the new activities are tons of fun," she said.

Guests can jump for joy on the bungee trampolines and reach for the sky on the towering Aerial Adventure and even dogs can be entertained at the Bark in Park area filled with obstacle courses.

John Coltman, general manager at Allhallows said: “We’re incredibly proud of the work that has gone into the investment at Allhallows and excited to welcome guests to enjoy all the amazing new additions this summer.”

Allhallows has also invested in other areas such as over 60 new pitches for holiday homes on two new locations, Hope Reach and Montgomery Rise – named after the shipwreck of SS Montgomery which can be seen in the distance.

There is also a new Burger King as well as Haven’s signature Seaside Treats.

The overall investment has led to more than 100 additional new jobs.