Parks & Resorts Scandinavia AB (PRS), is to become Scandanavia's largest theme park chain after the addition of Grona Lund in Stockholm, the owners of which, the Lindgren family, have taken a major stake in the group, reports Park World.

PRS, which already consists of Kolmarden Zoo, Skara Sommarland and the Vildmarkshollet, last year boasted over two million visitors (including those to Grona Lund), and a turnover of 460 million Swedish Crowns (EUR 50.6 million).

According to Park World, the former owners of PRS are to hold on to 43 per cent of the shares, the Lindgren family, 39.9 per cent; and the Swedish insurance company Skandia Investments, 17.1 per cent.

The Lindren family and Skandia Investments are to control the group together. The present managing director, Robert Mesterton, is to continue in that role.

'The goal is to reach an annual turnover of a least one billion Swedish crowns by 2005 through organic growth and the purchasing of other parks,' said Mesterton.

Kolmarden is Scandinavia's largest zoo, with 1,000 animals of 38 different species.

In 2003, Grona Lund is to have a new coaster ride, a contemporary Wild Mouse which will run inside and above the Schwarzkopf steel coaster, put in place in 1988.