A theme park has been fined £150,000 after admitting a health and safety breach which left a girl with a fractured skull when she fell 14ft while queueing for a ride.

The child from Kent, who was four years old at the time, also suffered a bleed on the brain and broken ribs after falling from a bridge in the line for the Tomb Blaster attraction at Chessington World of Adventures in Surrey in June 2012.

The company admitted a charge relating to section three of the Health and Safety at Work Act which is largely to do with a responsibility to look after visitors or people not in their employment.

The Health and Safety Executive brought the prosecution forward at Guildford Crown Court.

An inspector had found water dripping from a roof had rotted the wood on a parts of the fence in the queue where the girl fell through.

Speaking after the case, the lawyers for the girl's family said: "The family of a young girl left with serious head injuries after a fall at Chessington World of Adventures theme park say they are relieved that the park’s owners have accepted responsibility for the incident and say they hope all public attractions will take steps to improve safety for young children.

"What happened to the young child was an isolated incident which we deeply regret..." - Chessington spokesman

Chessington released the following statement: "Chessington World of Adventures regards the Health & Safety of its guests and employees as its number one priority.

"The Resort has an excellent safety record and every year we invest significant resources in maintenance and safety measures.

"What happened to the young child was an isolated incident which we deeply regret, and from the outset we have put in place a package of support for the child and the family.

"We have also co-operated fully with the HSE investigation. This showed both a rigorous inspection and maintenance regime, and evidence not only of very swift action by staff, but also that the paling was dislodged by the application of exceptional force upon it shortly before the accident.

"Nevertheless, we have worked with the HSE to put some additional measures in place, including the installation of new metal safety fencing along the queue line."

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