A 200-gallon deluge of water courtesy of the fire service sent all comers whipping down Letchworth’s town centre water slide on Saturday.

The Comet: More than 600 went down the slide after tickets sold out.More than 600 went down the slide after tickets sold out. (Image: Archant)

Swift intervention from Baldock & Letchworth Fire Station ensured the 70m slide down Leys Avenue, part of the Town Centre Takeover, could open following a short delay.

Letchworth BID manager Tom Hardy was delighted with the fire service’s assistance and the day itself, which saw more than 600 people career down the slide after tickets sold out.

“All in all it was just great,” he told the Comet. “The town was packed with people.

“We were a little bit late starting because the scaffolding company took a bit longer than expected, and then we didn’t have enough water coming to go down it.

The Comet: A superwoman pose on the way down the slide.A superwoman pose on the way down the slide. (Image: Archant)

“But I called the fire service and explained the situation, and they came right down and filled the pump up in five minutes. Then we were ready to go, about an hour late.”

The event, a first for Letchworth, also included gaming tournaments on double-decker buses, 3D-printed keyrings to raise money for Great Ormond Street Hospital, an inflatable assault course and more.

And Tom was delighted by the number of young people who came into town for the day.

“It attracted exactly the right demographic,” he said.

The Comet: Folks of all ages joined in the fun.Folks of all ages joined in the fun. (Image: Archant)

“From the start I wanted to bring in people aged 10 to 25, people who wouldn’t usually come to Letchworth town centre, and we did that.

“I think we can expect the slide back next year, a bit higher and a bit faster, but even if not, we’ll certainly have something that will attract the same kind of people.”

The Comet: Letchworth giant water slide Letchworth Town Centre TakeoverLetchworth giant water slide Letchworth Town Centre Takeover (Image: Archant)