South Bank 'storm' blows over

The South Bank attraction that recreates an electrical storm is to be closed because the storms it makes are too stormy.

The man-made weather system used coloured lights, sounds and a 43-metre wind turbine to give visitors the impression they were in the eye of an electrical storm, complete with howling winds and driving rain.

However, people visiting the 500-metre long display found themselves getting rather too windswept.

The giant storm machine only worked in its full virtual glory when the mist generator and wind turbine were turned on full.

"Unfortunately the lighting effects really came together only when the mist nozzles were on full," said a spokesman.

"It did look fantastic, but when it did, there was simply too much water because the mist was so heavy.

"The sponsors took a look and decided it was too wet, so it was closed early."

However, the spokesman said the attraction had not been a failure. "Our aim was to increase awareness of renewable energy and we've certainly done that."

The attraction opened in November.