A SUCCESSFUL virtual reality arcade is expanding in Bournemouth after its first premises attracted thousands of people.

Centre VR in BH2 has been packed with visitors since it opened in August last year.

Now boss Colin Parnell is opening another branch in bigger premises in the Richmond Gardens shopping centre.

The current branch, opposite the Miller & Carter steak house in BH2, offers six headsets for a game called Tower Tag and four sit-down racing simulators.

The sit-down stations will move to the new branch and a further 11 will be added to offer 15-player games such as car races.

Participants wear a headset and become immersed in the game and there are scores of different scenarios available.

Mr Parnell believes the new site will be the biggest virtual reality arcade in Europe and stressed it is suitable for all ages and interests.

He said the recommended starting age is seven due to the size of the headsets but said parents are welcome to take younger children along to see if they can use them.

Those taking part can even choose Google Earth and can get a birds-eye view of anywhere in the world.

Mr Parnell said many people choose to visit their own homes from the air.

He told the Daily Echo: "As well as the arcade side of things, virtual reality can also be used in education and we are contacting local schools to see if they are interested.

"Children will be able to take part in games which make them feel like they are immersed in things like the Titanic or Apollo 11."

He said the facilities would also be used by local businesses for training and by groups of all ages for parties.

He added: "Virtual reality is really taking off here. It is really popular in the USA, Canada and China and the biggest in the world is in Dubai.

"Our BH2 site has been extremely successful and we have been packed over Christmas.

"I am from Bournemouth and knew this would be a good place to start but the plan is to roll the business out to other towns and cities."

The new branch, above Wilko and Lidl in the Richmond Gardens shopping centre, will open on Thursday February 1.