Flamingo Land boss Gordon Gibb said: "It's wonderful to get the public on at last – it's what it's all about.

"I'm delighted with it, every second is filled with dynamic twists and turns. I've never experienced anything like it."

Among the first on board were competition winners including 39-year-old Michael Cowling, a warehouse operative from Pickering.

Mr Cowling, who went on with his niece Joanne, said: "I thought it was great, we're real rollercoaster fans."

Bernadette Howe, 30, of Pickering, had also won tickets and took her husband Kevin and daughter Kaylee, nine.

Mrs Howe said: "I've never won anything before! It's my birthday next week so this is a double celebration."

Also among the first on the ride were members of the Roller Coaster Club of Great Britain, who had travelled from as far as Cornwall, London and Scotland.

Chairman Andy Hine, 42, of Hillingdon, London, said: "This is a unique ride which has elements nobody else has got."

Fellow member Matt Walker, 36, of Bournemouth, said: "It was brilliant – it has lots of things you don't expect.

"Plus it's really comfortable – you could spend an hour on it!"

The ride ran smoothly for over an hour but a technical hitch left one four-person carriage stuck near the top of a steep climb for around 20 minutes.

Ride manager Vincent Watson explained: "Every rollercoaster has complex safety systems and if it senses an anomaly it will stop the ride.

"These were just teething problems on the first day and everyone was safe."

Chantelle Downing, 16, of Leeds, was among those who were stuck. She said: "I was fine – we had a great view of the park from up there! It's a great ride and I'll definitely go on again."

REPORTER Susan Stephenson was among the first to ride Mumbo Jumbo.