PERCEPTIONS can certainly be deceptive.

For those who think a construction-themed adventure park isn't a place for girls, then think again.

Driving into Diggerland in Castleford, the sight of a pink digger positioned at the roadside gives you a clue that this place isn't just for boys who like playing with construction toys.

Girls have as much fun getting stuck in as they try their hand at making the earth move and get dizzy riding high in the sky!

With the excitement building as we made our way through the gate, our daughter Katy spotted Spin Dizzy and that was it, she was hooked.

Powered by a high powered digger, Spin Dizzy entices passengers to take their seat in the bucket of this mammoth machine and be spun in the air at high speed with a few dramatic drops along the way! Certainly not a ride for the feint-hearted, but perfect fun for thrill-seekers!

Having re-gained our balance and now dizzy with excitement, we set off eager to explore more. Glancing around the park there is so much to offer we were spoilt for choice but with digging being the operative word here we decided to get stuck in - literally!

Positioned in the cab with Dad, Katy took the controls of a dirt digger and began manoeuvring the bucket to shift some earth. Digging deep, it looked a rather complex operation but she soon got the swing of it, literally, as she moved the earth from one side to another, gnawing away at the mud with the bucket to create a gaping crevice - perfect for putting down foundations!!!

Of course, when you've shifted earth you've got to move it! Despite the slow speed, the dumper trucks tempted us to take our seat behind the wheel. Trundling around the course was easy but, having seen a previous driver struggling to position such hefty wheels to navigate the narrow truck stop lane, I was hesitant about my own ability. Conscious we could be in for a challenge, we made our way ever-so-slowly back to base and unbelievably without kerbing the wheel!

With a gathering queue at the Dippy Ducks - which involves plenty of patience and precision as you have to try and hook a large plastic duck on the end of your mini digger - we opted for another challenging ride - the robots.

Navigating our machinery slowly round the swampy terrain was exciting and the fact the wheels were slipping and sliding was all part of the fun as long as you didn't end up in a mud bath!

A bird's eye view of the park beckoned as we spotted the Sky Shuttle extending its viewing platform 50ft up through the trees. Once in the air, the Sky Shuttle gives visitors a fantastic opportunity to see the extensive site, spot other rides you may have missed and want to try, and, depending on the weather, savour some picture perfect panoramic scenery.

Back on terra ferma we climbed aboard the Ground Shuttle for a 'shake, rattle and ride.' Heading out into a rather muddy clearing our transport gave us the ride of our lives - well one Katy was keen to savour a second time!

There was plenty of spinning and bumping around putting a smile on everyone's faces.

Spotting a Mitsubishi Pajero covered in mud, we were curious to find out more. This off-road 4x4 experience was a sheer test of the driver's expertise and skill, and also the transport's ability to grip and climb over the mounds of mud as we were taken on a tour of some challenging terrain along forest pathways.

Young ones can also take the opportunity to get behind the wheel of a Mitsubishi 4x4 and navigate their own less challenging course.

And if you really love the big stuff, then this park is certainly for you as you do have the chance to drive a JCB!

With all this fun on offer what are you waiting for? Diggerland is a fantastic, well thought out adventure park providing plenty of thrills and excitement for all the family, and regardless of age!