A POPULAR Hampshire theme park has been nominated for the first ever UK Theme Park Awards.

Boasting one of the UK's number one theme parks, Paulton's Park, in Romsey, is among ten across the UK that have been announced in the first set of nominations.

It comes after the amusement park - also home of Peppa Pig World - was named the best in the UK for a third consecutive year in 2018, by review site TripAdvisor.

The theme park has also postponed its Tornado Springs attraction until 2021 due to the coronavirus outbreak.

Now, it is in line to become the Theme Park of the Year, which will be voted by the British public for their favourite theme parks in the national awards.

The awards are set to recognise the "best rides and attractions, shows and events", as well as best customer service, value and accessibility.

"There are more than 40 theme parks in the UK, visited by millions of people every year, and it is about time that we recognise those offering the very best experiences," said Lawrence Roots, Editor of ThemeParks-UK.com.

The awards include 20 categories, including Best Value, Best Accessibility and Best New Attraction.

Those nominated for the UK Theme Park Awards also include Alton Towers, Blackpool Pleasure Beach, Chessington World of Adventures, Drayton Manor, Dreamland Margate, Fantasy Island, Flamingo Land, LEGOLAND Windsor and Thorpe Park.

The next ten nominees in each category will be announced every day at 12pm, between May 1 and 20, on social media.

Paul Kelly, Chief Executive of the British Association of Leisure Parks, Piers and Attractions, said: "With my career long love affair with Theme Parks and Attractions, I am delighted to be part of the judging panel for the UK Theme Park Awards."

To access their Facebook, visit www.facebook.com/ThemeParksUK/ and public voting will take later this year at www.ukthemeparkawards.com.