Plans for a 168ft (51m) high “Walk of Terror” within the legs of Blackpool Tower have been approved by Blackpool Borough Council.

The walk would allow people to climb metal steps inside one leg of the tower, cross a gantry a third of the way up, and climb back down another leg.

The application was submitted by Leisure Parcs, which owns and operates the tower. Kevin Allcock, managing director, said: “I believe that such an addition to our attraction will create excitement and interest in abundance and our research indicates that this will be very well received by visitors to Blackpool.”

The plans have met resistance from locals, who fear that the Walk of Terror will change the character of the tower, but Allcock denied this.

“Any addition to the tower must be fully sympathetic with the current structure materials and appearance of the tower, and this is very much in the forefront of our minds.”

Leisure Parcs is currently waiting approval from the secretary of state and if that is granted, Allcock said that details of the plans would be revealed early next year.