THE historic Great Yarmouth jetty could be replaced by a Benidorm-style cable water ski attraction under plans mooted by a borough councillor.

A large space would be created at the seafront when the structure, said to be Nelson’s landing place following the Battle of Nile, is dismantled.

And Mick Castle, the Labour councillor for Central and Northgate ward, says it would provide the perfect opportunity for Yarmouth to create a water skiing attraction more at home on the Costa Blanca.

Cable ski runs consist of a platform which is sited around 100 yards off the shore with poles holding up a cable which pulls water skiers along.

Mr Castle, who recently enjoyed a sun-filled holiday on the Spanish coast, said: “I was in Benidorm and the beach there is similar to Yarmouth.

“It’s very steep with little difference between the high and low tides and this is the kind of attraction that could go there.”

He added:“It would be nice to put something there that creates a spectacle.”

The cable ski attraction off Levante Beach in Benidorm creates the experience of being pulled along behind a speedboat on water skis by use of a cable system.

And if Mr Castle’s plans proceed, water skiers could be seen hurtling across the waves off the Golden Mile beach.

“You would have a platform some 100 yards off the shore,” said Mr Castle. “We’ve got a wide expanse of beach to enjoy in Yarmouth.

“This would be something we would be looking at private investment for, but equally the borough council could look at this.”

Mr Castle has already raised the idea with the borough council’s head of tourism Alan Carr and thinks it may help boost the town’s tourist economy.

“It would create a spectacle for people on the beach and a high value ticket activity to enhance the Yarmouth offer,” said Mr Castle.

The resort in Benidorm charges adults 20 euros for an hour on the cable ski, and the children’s rate is 12 euros.

Mr Castle’s plans have not yet been brought before the borough council.

The demolition of the wood-constructed jetty is expected to take eight weeks, but the controversial dismantling project has been delayed due to a “misunderstanding”.

This concerns the nature and precise location of a memorial being built in place of the jetty to mark Nelson’s landing. The original estimate for the demolition of the jetty was �88,000.

WHAT do you think? Could we attract water skiers to Costa del Yarmouth? Email letters at anne.edwards@archant.co.uk