Interactive family attractions specialist Innovative Leisure celebrated the European launch of the latest addition to its product range at the INPAS Expo and Trade Show in March, when it officially unveiled the Mobile Zip Line.

Already proving a major success in the US, the new attraction is manufactured by Spectrum Sports International and will be distributed exclusively in the UK and Europe by Innovative Leisure. A fully operational version of the ride was on display at INPAS, which took place at the Stoneleigh Park and Exhibition Centre in Warwickshire, UK, on 13-14 March.

The new attraction, which was the recipient of the Best New Product Award at last November's IAAPA Attractions Expo, is the first commercially available portable zip line. Access is via a 30in-wide staircase which meets OSHA and ASTM requirements and takes participants to a height of 8.3m (28ft).

At the top of the stairs, riders enter the launch barrel which protects them from fall exposure until they are safely connected to the zip line. When ready to go, the operator opens a rotating safety gate and the rider is then able to take the 'leap of faith'.

At the opposite end of the attraction, an innovative, patent pending brake technology called the Auto-Retract®, is used to slow only the last part of the ride in a smooth, carefully controlled action. This is a mechanised device that replaces the old method of stopping zip line riders by hand. Significantly it solves one of the most potentially dangerous aspects of any zip line, the stop, while also returning the trolley to the top of the attraction for the next rider, hence 'Auto-Retract'.

A further key feature is the easy set-up procedure. A 12 volt hydraulic lift system stands the tower in place at the touch of a button, the zip lines are secured and an inflatable wall is positioned at the lower end for what the company calls '...added rider intimidation...' The total set-up time is approximately 30 minutes. Innovative Leisure MD Phil Pickersgill said: "We've already had a tremendous amount of interest in the Mobile Zip Line.

"I know it's going to be a hugely popular attraction at venues and events of all kinds and the first one supplied by ourselves will be in operation in the UK in March, with others to follow."