Extinct creatures to roar in the wood

Christian Cristobal, an international theme park designer, makes the towering beasts in his garden in Wakefield. Having graduated from Leeds Metropolitan University with a degree in landscape architecture he runs his own business, DinomatronicsInc.

His latest project, following on from previous work in China, is building Dinosaur Discovery at Tong Garden Centre. It will feature around 20 dinosaurs with in-built animatronics which means they can turn round and make sound effects electronically. Informative plaques will educate young visitors about the dinosaurs featured, including a six-metre high tyrannosaurus rex.

Opening this spring, the interactive attraction is being developed to the rear of the garden centre in an acre and a half of woodland and there will also be a giant sandpit for children to play in.

Angela Palmer, manager of the garden centre in Tong Lane, said: “We have had a lot of interest so far. Christian has been putting on smaller exhibitions all around West Yorkshire, including at the Merrion Centre, and people are following his progress on Facebook - so there’s people just waiting for it to open. It’s going to be big for the kids.

“We’ve changed the menu in the cafe along the lines of what kids prefer and our gift range is now dinosaur themed.

“The children that have been in for a sneak preview think it’s brilliant. I think it’s the size of them that’s so impressive. I particularly like the woolly mammoth which stands at about eight-foot tall.

“We hope it will be open before Easter.”

Admission will be £3.50 for adults, £5.50 for children and £15 for a family ticket.