Celebrities joined jubilant families for the opening of Chessington World of Adventures’ (CWOA) new Gruffalo children’s ride.

Pop-star Sophie Ellis Bextor, presenter Konnie Huq and reality star Stacey Solomon were just some of the famous faces who visited the theme park for its opening day for the year on Saturday.

The park was unveiling its much anticipated Gruffalo river ride adventure – the replacement for the beloved Bubbleworks, which closed in September last year.

Its closure prompted an outpouring of grief on social media, with one fan of the decades-old ride even changing his name to that of mascot Professor Burp.

Tim Harrison-Jones, divisional director at CWOA, said: "We are absolutely delighted to open The Gruffalo River Ride Adventure.

“We know how popular the wonderful picture book is and are thrilled to be able to take our guests through the story in an interactive and magical way."

Alongside the celebrity attendees was schoolgirl Talia Rose Bryant, 3, who beat more than 4,800 entrants in a competition to experience the first ride.

The ride is accompanied by numerous other Gruffalo offerings, including six brand new Gruffalo themed rooms in the Safari Hotel, the Gruffalo Bites food outlet and the Gruffalo Arena, where guests can meet the Gruffalo himself.

The Gruffalo children’s book, which has won numerous literature awards, tells the story of a mouse journeying through a European forest.

Julia Donaldson, author of The Gruffalo, and Axel Scheffler, illustrator of the world-renowned book, cut a ribbon to mark the ride's opening

Ms Donaldson said: “It’s great to see children and families enter the Gruffalo’s world and enjoy the story in a new way.”

A series of props from the previous Bubbleworks ride were auctioned off, with thousands donated to charity.