A mystery American backer has stepped forward with £30 million to get the controversial Swine pier ride off the ground.

The latest twist in the saga surrounding the ambitious ride off Southend Pier may see one man's dream potentially rescued forever.

The backer has pledged the entire cost of the Swine rollercoaster - the world's biggest over water.

Click here for a link to The Swine's website Confirmation comes two months after ride operator Tony Garner was warned to "get on with the job or clear out" by councillor Peter Wexham (Lib Dem, Leigh).

The councillor made his outburst during a meeting of the full council, stating there had been no positive moves towards completion of the multi-million pound project.

Talks have been on-going between the ride developers and a number of possible financial supporters for six months.

Mr Garner said: "We are not surprised somebody is offering to fund this project. We never would have gone this far without being certain we could get the money.

"This is another step forward. In all these cases, though, having the funding does not automatically mean everything else falls in place."

It was thought the rollercoaster would be funded using three different backers but one consortium has come up with the full amount.

The deal cannot be signed and sealed until the final planning details are completed with the council.

Several issues are still outstanding, including the running of the pier train.

George Krawiec, Southend's chief executive, said: "There are still considerable legal issues to be agreed. We need to be assured the money is in place and not just morally committed."

The Swine is billed as a rollercoaster ride, built entirely over the sea, alongside a leisure centre and dome packed with games, entertainment and everything you could expect at an amusement park.

Work is not expected to start on the ride until next summer at the earliest. The project is being carried out in three phases.

The dome will be opened after two years while the ride will not be up and running for another year after that.

Designs show the 250ft wide, 75ft high pleasure dome standing 6ft above the sea with entertainments, bars and restaurants inside.

The ride slowly rises to 260ft above sea level before taking a 150 degree turn and hurtling downwards.

'It's about time'

News of cash backing for the rollercoaster on Southend pier has been met with delight from local figures - who say it is about time.

The controversial ride has secured £30 million funding from a mystery American company.

Its operator Tony Garner was told to "put up or shut up" at a meeting of the full council by councillors who had lost faith in the project.

But a company has now stepped forward to put up the cash to push the development forward.

Sir Teddy Taylor MP, for Rochford and Southend East, has welcomed the news and said it marks the nearing of the end of a nightmare.

He said: "It has been a bit of a nightmare but we want the best thing for the end of the pier.

"This is another big step forward for Southend. This new investment coming in is fantastic. I am delighted it has become available."

Mr Taylor said the ride will be the next thing to boost Southend, along with the revamped Kursaal and the extended Peter Pan's Playground.

He added: "When I arrived in Southend 20 years ago, the seafront was dying. Now there is plenty of investment and things are on the up."

Council leader David Elf echoed Mr Taylor's thoughts and said at last things can get moving.

He said: "I am pleased something is happening. We can now deal with the remaining issues once and for all.

"This has been dragging on for a long time and we have been in limbo."

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