The opening of Shanghai Happy Valley theme park in China has been delayed from 8 August to 16 August as a result of Typhoon Morakot.

Hundreds are already feared to have died as the typhoon swept through Taiwan. It hit mainland China this weekend, where three people have been reported dead.

The Happy Valley theme park - construction on which began in 2006 - will feature seven regions including Shangri-La, Ants Kingdom, Hurricane Bay and Shanghai Beach.

The park will be home to the 108ft (33m)-tall Fireball rollercoaster, the first wooden coaster in the country.

The park is the fourth such project to be launched by China's Overseas Chinese Town group (OCT) and follows openings in Shenzhen, Beijing and Chengdu.

A 4,500-seat OCT Theater will present acrobatics, song and dance shows and concerts, while the Arthur Palace will house exhibitions and provide eating options for up to 1,400 people.

An eco-hotel will also be built, but is not expected open till 2010.