Comedian James Acaster backs bid to save Wicksteed Park

Comedian James Acaster has backed a bid to save Wicksteed Park - the theme park he recreated in meringue on The Great British Bake Off.

The funnyman paid homage to Wicksteed Park, based in his home town of Kettering, on the celebrity version of the show last year.

The 99-year-old theme park went into administration with the loss of more than 100 jobs on Monday.

Acaster said he was "trying to see what I can do and what I can get involved in" to help save the park.

An appeal to raise funds for Wicksteed Park has raised £90,553 since its launch on Mondayand yesterday, it was reported that, with help, the park may be able to survive until 2021.

The 35-year-old comedian, known for his appearances on Would I Lie To You and Mock The Week and his BBC Sounds podcast series, said the money raised so far "has been encouraging".

He said of his use of Wicksteed Park on the baking show:

Wicksteed Park was opened in 1921 by Charles Wicksteed and is the oldest theme park on UK mainland.

Wicksteed Charitable Trust, which owns the park, blamed the "huge financial strain caused by the coronavirus outbreak" for the administration.

Oliver Wicksteed, chairman of the trust, said the fundraising had been "absolutely staggering".