THE LARGEST THEME park in Wales, which is popular with Irish tourists, has closed with immediate effect.

Oakwood Theme Park, in Pembrokeshire, west Wales, announced on Tuesday that it will shut immediately after nearly 40 years.

Aspro Parks, the owner and operator of Oakwood Theme Park, said it reached the “difficult decision” due to financial challenges caused by rising costs and declining visitor numbers.

The firm said it has invested more than £25 million since the park was saved from closure in 2008.

The theme park made headlines in April 2004 when a 16-year-old girl was killed after falling around 100ft from the top of the Hydro ride. A 10-year-old boy was also injured.

But a coroner ruled out unlawful killing in the inquest into 16-year-old Hayley Williams’ death and gave a narrative verdict.

In 2008, Oakwood Leisure was fined £250,000 and ordered to pay £80,000 costs because of the tragedy when it was revealed that basic safety procedures were widely ignored by staff overseeing the ride.

Announcing the closure, a spokesperson for Aspro Parks Group, which operates dozens of other attractions including Blue Planet Aquarium in Cheshire, said: “In the entire history of Aspro we have never closed any park or attraction.

“We, and our dedicated team of staff has strived to overcome numerous challenges to continue to bring joy to families and visitors across the region and country. Unfortunately, we could no longer see a sustainable way forward and will seek to improve our other parks using the assets and where possible team elsewhere”.

“We are aware that Oakwood has been a much-loved destination for generations and a rite of passage for many young visitors. It is for this reason we feel such a sense of sadness.

“We would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to the dedication and commitment of our team members past and present, suppliers and contractors who have loyally supported us and of course all those that have visited Oakwood Theme Park over the years. We are sincerely grateful.”