DICKENS World, the £62 million visitor attraction at Chatham Maritime, opens shortly. And one of the Kent Messenger Group newspapers is offering readers the opportunity to be among the first visitors.

As the name suggests, the theme of the indoor complex is the life, books and times of Charles Dickens, who grew up in the Medway Towns. His father was a clerk in the Naval Dockyard.

About 300,000 people a year are expected to take a trip back in time to the sights and smells of Dickensian England that have been created beside the Medway.

Star attraction is likely to be the Great Expectations ride that combines a thrilling water and "sky" ride, taking visitors from the depths of the murky sewers to a magical flight over the rooftops of London and beyond.

The Medway Messenger is running a exclusive competition which will enable 200 readers to attend a special people’s preview on Wednesday, April 18, from 2.30pm to 6pm.

Fifty readers, each with three guests, will be the first group of people to fully experience the Dickens World attractions.

FULL COMPETITION DETAILS ARE IN THE APRIL 6 EDITION OF THE MEDWAY MESSENGER