The UK’s first city centre zip-wire ride is to launch in Liverpool this weekend (Saturday, August 9).

The giant attraction will see thrill seekers ascend a 115 foot station on Church Street – Liverpool’s busiest street – before high-flying over thousands of shoppers on a wire at speeds of up to 40mph.

The ‘Liverpool Wire’ will deposit breathless users about a minute later, after travelling more than the length of the premier league pitches at Goodison Park and Anfield combined.

Liverpool BID Company is hosting the event, which will feature 2 separate wires, just over a week after the city welcomed three parading giants that attracted over 1 million people.

Delivered by events company, the Mellors Group, it is hoped the Liverpool Wire will also provide a major boost to local charities with price discounts for fundraisers.

Liverpool’s Lord Mayor Erica Kemp and her consort and daughter Rachel, as first citizens of the city, will be the first to fly the Liverpool Wire on Friday, August 8 at 11am. Councillor Kemp will be recruiting fundraisers from her chosen charities – The Alzheimer’s Society, Teenage Cancer Trust, The Reader Organisation and SSAFA – to help raise £2,000 from the Liverpool Wire by the finale of its 4 week run.

The Liverpool Wire, sponsored by Radio City, will be priced at £15 for users and £10 for charity fundraisers. There will also be a discount for bookings made on-line at: www.liverpoolwire.co.uk and free rides will be up for grabs for those who sign up to the Facebook page.

The giant ride will launch on Saturday, August 9 and end on Saturday, September 6. It will be open from 10am to 6pm Sunday to Thursday and 10am until 8pm on Friday and Saturday.

Tracey Crosbie, Events Manager for Liverpool BID Company, said:

‘’No city centre in the country will have seen anything like this before. It’s going to be an amazing attraction for Liverpool and will add a real injection of excitement to our high street. We also hope the Liverpool Wire helps to raise thousands for local charities and give fundraisers an unforgettable minute of joy.’’

Edward Mellors, Managing Director of Mellors Group, added:

‘’We’re delighted to be premiering a zip line attraction in a city location here in Liverpool. The city is renowned for being upbeat and we’re confident Liverpudlians will be up for the Wire Challenge.”