Organisers behind the biggest zipline in England have confirmed the opening date has been delayed.

The Hangloose Adventure attraction planned for Bluewater was set to open next month.

Customers were contacted by email and text message today informing them of the first day being pushed back by three weeks.

The first participants were planned to fly down the wires on May 14.

Four 725m-long lines are suspended from a tower 15.5m sitting on top of a 40m high chalk cliff and will run 180ft above the former quarry housing the shopping centre near Dartford.

It is the longest in England and is set to be the first thrill-seeking attraction followed by a skydive machine, climbing and giant swing.

Hangloose says the venue is now due to open on June 7.

The company says difficulties arising during the construction of the zipline has forced the opening to be delayed to "ensure visitors get the very best experience".

A message sent this afternoon to customers with bookings says: "Building a really long Zipline is not easy. First, there are very few people who have done it. Second, the plans are unique on each build with each location presenting its own challenges.

"For that reason, we’re moving the official opening of Hangloose Adventure at Bluewater from May 14 to June 7th. This will ensure visitors get the very best experience."

Customers are set to be contacted later this week to rearrange their booking if they had booked before June 7.

The company has offered affected customers a free upgrade to include photo and video clip package of their flight.

A spokesman for Hangloose said: “We’re working hard to make sure visitors at Hangloose will enjoy the very best experience we can offer.

"It is a unique project meaning we have had to be flexible with timings to ensure everything is perfect ahead of the launch..."

"There are just a handful of zipwires of this length in the UK, so it is a unique project meaning we have had to be flexible with timings to ensure everything is perfect ahead of the launch.

"All customers who are affected by this change have been contacted. We appreciate everyone’s patience and can’t wait to welcome you to Hangloose.”

Hangloose Adventure is set amongst 50 acres of parkland at the shopping centre, which has been awarded Green Flag status for the fifth year.

Speaking last month as the tower neared completion, senior centre director for Bluewater Robert Goodman said: "Seeing the dispatch tower close to completion gives a real sense of scale for the structure which will carry thrill-seekers from the cliff edge, more than 725 metres across our parkland."

It has not been confirmed what the exact reason for the delay is.

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