A NORTH Yorkshire water park has been given the green light to expand.

Planning permission was approved for the facility, along with a cafe, at the North Yorkshire Water Park, at Wykeham Lakes, near Scarborough.

The water park will offer water and land-based activities for all ages and abilities, all year-round, and will create 15 jobs.

The new Wake Park will be the first in North Yorkshire and a welcome addition to the water park, which opened three years ago with a range of family-friendly water-based activities.

“We’re thrilled that our plans have been given the go ahead,” said Andrew Backhouse, manager of North Yorkshire Water Park.

“Our range of water sports activities and open water swimming have been very popular since we reopened this season and we look forward to next year when we will have the Wake Park, inflatable AquaPark and new larger café up and running.”

The water park is part of The Dawnay Estates and also has a 2.5km lakeside cycling, running and walking track around the lakes which provides access into woodland and views across the lake.

David Steel, newly-appointed chief executive of The Dawnay Estates, added: “This year has been challenging for everyone in the tourism and leisure sector, however we are very pleased with the support we have received since our re-opening as people enjoy the lake activities and woodland walks.”