Work on a new £5m inland surfing facility in Bristol could start as early as next year under plans unveiled by osteopath Nick Hounsfield and corporate marketing director Tobin Coles.

Hounsfield and Coles have joined forces with Chris Hines, former director of sustainability at the Eden Project, for Wavegarden UK - the first surfing centre of its kind in the world.

A number of potential sites have been earmarked for the development, including the 13-acre (5.3-hectare) former sports field located alongside the Portway in Avon Gorge.

Wavegarden UK has confirmed a public consultation and exhibition of the plans is set to take place early next year, which will enable residents to help shape the project.

It is anticipated the facility will offer "perfect" surfing waves up to 1.6m (5.2ft) high on a 450m (1,476sq ft) man-made lake and providing a 55-second ride for experienced surfers.

Hounsfield said: "Wavegarden is ambitious but achievable. It will be a fantastic place, close to Bristol city centre, that everyone can enjoy - all ages, all backgrounds and all abilities.

"It will be a space to relax and rehabilitate as well as a place to surf, play and have fun. We instinctively know that being in or around water is good for people and that is something we want to share."

Coles added: "It's very important to us that we get as many views as possible on the project from the public and feed these in to the design process."

Details: www.wavegarden.me.uk

Image: Stephen Bonk/shutterstock.com