It was a day that some feared would never happen, but Helston theme park Flambards re-opened on Saturday – four months after it was sold while under administration.

The park is now running under new management, having been bought from former owner James Kingsford-Hale by Livingstone Leisure Ltd, a firm run by Ian Cunningham, the founder of Newquay’s Blue Reef Aquarium and a former operations director of the Eden Project.

New general manager, Richard Smith, said: “Flambards has had a great start to Easter, with the opening for the main summer season taking place on Saturday.”

He said the main aim for the new operators this season was to understand how the park worked – what the visitors liked and what they would like to see more of.

Mr Smith added: “It’s great to see the park finally open after all our hard work this winter getting ready. There’s nothing more satisfying than seeing visitors on the rides and around the park having a great day.”

Old favourites such as The Hornet, the log flume and Skyraker remain – plus Gus Honeybun is still in his burrow – with the only ride to have gone being Extreme Force, which went before the new owners took over.

Admission prices have been held at the same levels as last year and a seven-day free return on validated tickets has been added, although terms apply.

Dean Woods has started in a new role as entertainments supervisor, having previously worked at Hendra Holiday Park and Monkey Tree holiday park. He is now making sure Ferdi the Fox is out and about greeting younger visitors.

There will be free face painting throughout the whole Easter holiday, and the entertainments schedule includes appearances by Mr Wacky, who has worked with the likes of the Chuckle Brothers, plus professional magician Harry Kazzam and his assistant Gloria the Ostrich.