The magical creatures which began life in the imagination of Bewilderwood creator Tom Blofeld could soon be roaming beyond the Norfolk Broads.

Norwich Evening News: Tom Blofeld, owner of Bewilderwood near Horning. Picture: James BassTom Blofeld, owner of Bewilderwood near Horning. Picture: James Bass (Image: Archant Norfolk � 2014)

The £5m tourist attraction, on the Cholmondley Estate in Cheshire, has been granted long-awaited planning permission for a second site in Cheshire, more than five years after the idea was first announced.

The 70-acre site will showcase the fantastical world of Boggles, Twiggles and Crocklebogs which was first presented to children in Mr Blofeld's books and later brought to life at Bewilderwood near Hoveton.

It will feature treehouses, outdoor play areas and a lake for boat rides, and be open between February and October.

Aimed at children aged between two and 12, it expects to attract up to 300,000 visitors a year, create about 25 full-time and 155 part-time or seasonal jobs, and contribute to £15m a year being spent in the local economy.

Norwich Evening News: Tom Blofeld, owner of Bewilderwood adventure park. PHOTO: ANTONY KELLY.Tom Blofeld, owner of Bewilderwood adventure park. PHOTO: ANTONY KELLY. (Image: Archant Norfolk 2013)

Mr Blofeld said Bewilderwood had developed into 'something that is probably the best in the world in its category'.

'From the beginning, we set out to be different to theme parks and be a smaller, more authentic and intimate experience and it shows in our reviews,' he said.

'Our visitors feel a real sense of ownership of the park because they have the chance to experience real play in nature. We continue to nurture a creative spirit which encourages children to explore and develop their own love of nature and sense of independence.'

Plans for the second site were first announced in 2012, though the initial site was at the National Trust's Tatton Park in Cheshire. Bewilderwood withdrew those plans, it said, because they were not able to achieve the sustainability standards the company was aiming for.

The new park has been welcomed by tourism bodies in the area, with Marketing Cheshire hailing it as 'something genuinely different'.

The approval for the expansion comes as Bewilderwood at Hoveton prepares to mark its 10th anniversary.

The venue, which attracts around 150,000 visitors a year, has become a major tourist attraction in the county and won recognition at the EDP Tourism Awards.