An abandoned ocean liner lying off the coast of Wales is to become a terrifying zombie experience

An abandoned ocean liner lying off the coast of Wales is to become a terrifying zombie experience
Lydia Morris 23 SEP 2018 https://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/zombie-experience-abandone...

Thrill seekers will get to explore parts of the Duke of Lancaster

Zombies are set to overrun an abandoned ocean liner.

The eerie Duke of Lancaster cruise liner is to be turned into a daredevil attraction for thrillseekers.

It has been abandoned at Llanerch-y-Mor near Mostyn in Flintshire since the mid-1980s.

After plans to turn the deteriorating ship into a dry-docked fun ship ran aground, it has remained closed to the public, the Daily Post reports .

But now the vessel has been brought back into use by Zombie Infection - the "UK's biggest" supplier of zombie experiences.

Following in the footsteps of zombie attractions at Liverpool's Asylum in Newsham Park, an 18th-century courthouse in Birmingham and a former prison in Leicester, the Holywell ship has become the company's newest experience.

The over-18s attraction which "awaits only the bravest souls" is new for 2019 and launches in January.

Zombie Infection say they will "take good care" of the ship which has seen its "fair share of disappointment to date".

The two and a half hour experience will see thrill seekers exploring parts of the turbine steam ship in the hope of stopping a "virus".

Actors dressed as zombies will chase and challenge them in an experience which the company warns is not for the fainthearted.

A spokesman for Zombie Infection said: "Over the last few years, we have worked hard to build a strong and trustworthy relationship with the owners of the Duke of Lancaster ship.

"The impressive ocean liner has seen its fair share of disappointment to date, so it is with great pleasure that after safety and logistic improvements, a lot of paint, love and affection we are now able to bring this amazing venue to our international fan base in 2019 and hopefully beyond.

"We want to assure the local and national population that we will (in partnership with its owners) take good care of her and bring her well and truly back to her glory days.

"It is not only a wonderful place to visit but probably one of the greatest locations to do what we do.

"Already being the UK’s largest provide of premium immersive zombie experiences and after winning numerous awards for our events in 2018, this will only increase our portfolio further to deliver the very best value for money and the most exciting zombie entertainment events in the world."

The Duke of Lancaster started its life as a passenger ferry and cruise liner between 1956 and 1979.

It was sold to a Liverpool-based company and towed to Llanerch-y-Mor near Greenfield in August 1979.

The ship's owner, John Rowley, had spent more than 30 years trying to get a project off the ground to restore the ship, but has claimed that legal battles have always frustrated his plans.

In 2012, Mr Rowley, who now lives in Romania, allowed several street artists to leave their stamp on the ship - which has now been covered in black paint.

Bookings are now being taken for January on the Zombie Infection website.