Thrill-seekers try out Britain's newest roller-coaster - which includes world record 14 loops

Thrill seekers have tried out Britain's newest roller-coaster - which includes a world record breaking 14 loops.

The stomach-churning ride - called 'The Smiler' - has drops of 98ft (29.8m), hits speeds of up to 53mph and will open to the public at Alton Towers on May 23. 

But theme park technicians Charlotte Tomkiss, 23, Georgia Wright, 27, and Simon Cross, 38, were given a sneak preview on Monday when they became the first to experience the £18million mega ride.

Charlotte, who was the first to test the ride, which lasts for two minutes and 45 seconds, said: 'It was terrifying but exhilarating at the same time - I was laughing all the way around.

'After fourteen loops you're a little bit dizzy by the time you step off it.'

The Smiler is the most expensive project Alton Towers have ever pursued and took two years to build.

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Last week it was given the Guinness World Record for number of loops.

Chief ride designer John Wardley, who created the park's latest attraction, said: 'It's called The Smiler because it's impossible not to smile as you go tumbling through the loops.

'It aims to be a journey through seven different emotions- happiness, sadness, anger, disgust, surprise, nausea and fear.

'It sounds quite sinister, but it's the rollercoaster of emotions that people experience in such a short period of time, which makes it so enjoyable.

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'We wanted to create something more intense than anything else.

'So as well as having the most loops, it is also incorporates mind-warping experiences too.'