Thrill-seekers will hit speeds of up to 40MPH on Europe’s tallest inflatable slide which has been transformed for when the world’s biggest inflatable obstacle course returns to Kent in 2017.

Up to 5,000 runners at Gung-Ho, at Brands Hatch, West Kingsdown, on Saturday 3 June, will fly down the five-storey-high, 200ft-long Thriller after organisers added WATER to the fun-filled inflatable – an act inspired by a wet weekend in Manchester in 2016.

The ten inflatables – including three which make their debut in 2017 – will be filled with enough air to pump up more than 100 MILLION footballs, making it the biggest course of its kind anywhere on the planet.

Cbeebies presenter Alex Winters, the brains behind the event, said: “As soon as last year’s visit had come to an end I knew I wanted to bring Gung-Ho! back to Kent. Everyone was so up for Gung-Ho! and helped make it one of our best events yet.

“I saw from the stage how much fun everyone had and I am sure everyone will be all smiles again for our next visit.

“We are so excited to have secured the world-famous Brands Hatch again as our event space, which will provide the perfect backdrop for our fun-filled run.

“We will return bigger and better than ever and can’t wait to see people of all ages going Gung-Ho! on the world’s biggest inflatable obstacle course in 2017. Kent – I hope you are ready for us!”

Alex came up with the idea for Gung-Ho! in 2014 while sat in front of the TV watching Ninja Warrior with his three children.

That idea spawned a new craze with thousands taking part in Gung-Ho!’s first three events in 2015, before the hugely successful country-wide tour last year.

This year, Kent is the seventh stop on an eleven-date tour of the UK, with more events to be announced soon, and Alex can’t wait to see the effect the changes have on things.

He said: “We have added some incredible obstacles for 2017 and made a few tweaks here and there to make the Gung-Ho! experience even more exciting and memorable.

“Our Manchester event was the wettest we have had, and we noticed a soaking wet Thriller made things event more exciting for our runners as they zipped down at high speeds, so we have decided to turn that into a permanent feature!

“We still have all our classic obstacles like our giant ball pit, climbing wall and labyrinth, while we’ve introduced new obstacles like ‘Jump’, where people have to brave a 4m vertical drop.

“Elsewhere, runners will have the time of their lives trying to get across the huge ‘Rock n’ Roll Star’ and will come up against a real gauntlet of an obstacle in ‘Danger Zone’.

“We have really turned things up a notch for 2017, and can’t wait to bring the fun back to Kent to give everyone a taste of it.

“The sooner you buy your tickets the cheaper they are, so get signed up as soon as possible!”

With many runners taking part for charity in 2016, thousands of pounds are expected to be raised for good causes this time around.

Participants can go Gung-Ho! in aid of the race’s national charity partner BBC Children in Need, who are offering discounted tickets and a free t-shirt to those who run as part of Team Pudsey, via www.bbc.co.uk/Pudsey.

Runners, who must be at least 4ft tall, receive a free bib with race number, Gung-Ho! t-shirt and  headband, while any spectators can attend for free.

Tickets and more information are available at www.begung-ho.co.uk. Check out Gung-Ho! updates by searching ‘Gung-Ho!’ on Facebook and on Twitter, at @begungho.

Tickets cost £31 until Monday 13 March, when they increase in price.