AN ENTREPRENEUR is hoping local people, as well as visitors to the county, will enjoy a family holiday park he has opened at the former Cuckoo’s Rest fishing lakes near Westbury.

The Fairwood Lakes holiday park, which has cost businessman Crispin Thomas £600,000 to develop, won final permission from Wiltshire Council last week.

"It is a great move by Wiltshire Council to encourage tourism,” said Mr Thomas, pictured right, who is opening the gates to locals with an open day on Saturday (July 15). “It is a great amenity for Wiltshire.

Fairwood Lakes has five luxury family holiday lodges on lakesides, a running track in the woods, a café, soft play area and play park for children, plus six acres of coarse fishing lakes and 20 caravan pitches.

Mr Thomas already had planning approval for four pitches, a shop and 20 caravan pitches. He said that planning officials had approved his plans to expand and relocate some elements of the development.

The site also welcomes day visitors. Anyone who wishes to use the holiday park’s facilities can just turn up and register at the site office.

Mr Thomas, who also owns the technical support provider Talk Me through It Group, which employs 104 people in Frome, has taken on seven staff to run the complex and says he is likely to employ more as the development expands.