Nostalgic thrillseekers have enjoyed the last-ever ride on an iconic Alton Towers rollercoaster.

The Staffordshire theme park’s Corkscrew ride rumbled along its 28-year-old tracks yesterday for the last time before it is dismantled.

Alton Towers closed for the season last weekend but re-opened again to host a special farewell celebration of the Corkscrew. The rollercoaster’s passengers had entered a special draw to secure their place in one of the carriages.

The £1.25 million Corkscrew was Europe’s first double-looped rollercoaster when it opened in 1980 and since then, it has carried around 43 million people and travelled more than 820,000 miles.

But with a top speed of only 44mph, it is relatively sedate compared to more modern rides like Oblivion and Nemesis. Alton Towers bosses say they need to remove it to make way for a bigger, better and faster ride.

Sam Worthington, aged 20, was one of the people who won a place on the last ride. He said: “It’s a real shame they’re getting rid of it. I’m really going to miss it. I’ve ridden it many times over the years.”

Russell Barnes, divisional director at Alton Towers, said: “We are extremely proud to have hosted Europe’s first double-helix rollercoaster but it is now the right time to say goodbye to the attraction as we look forward to continuing to pioneer fantastic family entertainment of the future.

“The Corkscrew has played a key part in the heritage of the Alton Towers resort and I am sure millions will look back with fond memories of the first time they were inverted upside down, twice, within three seconds.”

He refused to reveal what the theme park is planning to put in its place, insisting the project was “shrouded in immense secrecy”.