BENEATH Bolton’s Market Place Shopping Centre is a magical new jungle world where youngsters can try their hand at crazy golf, climb on an adventure course or ride the jungle express train. The Bolton News sent its resident big kid Liam Thorp to explore Bolton’s new Amazonia centre.

USUALLY my days consist of grilling politicians or analysing long council reports — so when the Market Place Shopping Centre invited me down to test out its new adventure play complex, it seemed like the perfect way to unwind.

I have followed the progress of the ambitious regeneration taking place at the centre and recall initial plans for the Amazonia area being mooted last year.

The facility is in the space formerly used as a loading area for deliveries — but as I ventured into an exciting new jungle world beneath the shopping centre, I realised things have changed a lot.

A huge amount of work has gone into the new facility — which is now officially open and can be accessed via the refurbished Victorian vaults in the basement of the centre.

Youngsters are invited to clamber around an exciting adventure jungle playground, made up of different equipment — with the authentic sound of exotic animals to accompany them.

After a climb, there is the chance to board the Jungle Express train, which navigates its way around venue.

My days of adventure playgrounds are behind me — but I couldn’t resist a ride on the train and was suitably impressed as it whizzed around the site.

The aspect of the Amazonia centre that will appeal to people of all ages is the 18-hole Lost Valley adventure golf course.

A unique jungle-themed course made up of varied features, all created with painstaking detail - it seems like an ideal venue for groups of friends, families or work parties.

Market Place manager Nikki Wilson-Cook, who proved to be an expert on the greens, said Amazonia is more than she could have hoped for when the initial plans came out.

She said: “The detail in this place is amazing, the kids who are coming in are astounded.

“This is all about having that entertainment and leisure offer for people coming to the centre. People want to have a whole day out now and we hope this will help them do that.”

There is also a jungle café where parents can enjoy a brew and a snack while youngsters explore the jungle and there is a special party zone which can be hired out for a variety of functions.

Amazonia manager, or tribe leader, Jonathan Davis, added: “I have worked all over and I have never seen a centre like this — it has got everything and we hope people will really enjoy it.”

For opening times, prices and booking details visit boltonmarketplace.co.uk/entertainment/amazonia