The world's fastest roller coaster is set to be unveiled in New Jersey later this year. But Britain can still boast some of the the best white-knuckle rides - as Western Daily Press sports editor Chris Spittles discovered...

There is nothing in Britain to match America's finest for pure speed, but anyone who thinks the rides in this country are tame had better think again. Britain's best will scare the wits out of most people - and delight adrenaline junkies like me.

As in the US, parks over here are locked in a constant battle to find "the" ride, and most boast one or two headline attractions.

For me the most terrifying ride in this country at the moment is Drayton Manor's Apocalypse.

It was recently voted the UK's scariest and I can see why.

Imagine being strapped into a seat and then hoisted vertically 150ft into the air. With no floor underneath, your feet dangle down and you get a wonderful (or terrifying) feeling of pure freedom.

Your seat tilts forward, forcing you to look down at the ground. Then, without warning, you plummet to the ground at a force of more than 4G, the scenery a blur as the blood rushes to your head.

As the floor gets ever closer, you wonder if the ride is ever going to stop. At this point I feared the worst and lifted my legs to my chest as I prepared for impact.

Then the magnetic forces that are integral to the best tower drop rides kicked in and we screeched to a halt.

That's when you get a feeling of euphoria - and immediately you want another go.

Luckily, my wish was granted - then half way up the fear returned and I went through the agony and ecstasy once again.

While Apocalypse uses fear as a means of entertainment, my favourite roller coaster - Alton Towers' revolutionary Air - is a much gentler, but still exhilarating, experience.

Air's secret lies in the design of the "chairs" in which you ride.

Once arms, torso and legs are strapped in, they flip 90 degrees, to leave the rider facing the floor.

If it sounds uncomfortable, don't worry - it isn't. And when the coaster gets under way, being dragged up to 66ft before plunging into a series of dips, loops and corkscrews, it really does achieve its boast of making you feel like you're flying.

Air is not the fastest or tallest roller coaster - it doesn't even remotely rival Blackpool's 235ft-high Big One.

But this unique experience constitutes the best coaster that I've been on to date - and also represents the perfect introduction to roller coasters for the uninitiated.

One that is certainly not for first timers is the aforementioned Big One at Blackpool Pleasure Beach.

This monstrosity dominates the skyline of the Lancashire town and is a formidable challenge, especially in adverse weather.

On my visit, the wind howling in from the Irish Sea made me distinctly nervous as the car was hauled up to its peak of 235ft.

The view from the summit across Blackpool's Golden Mile is a sight to behold - but not for long.

You quickly plunge down the first dip and are forced to hold on tight - there are no shoulder restraints on the Big One, just a lap bar.

After that first descent, the rest of the ride is an anti-climax - but what a first descent.

The only coaster drop to rival it in this country comes on Alton Towers' Oblivion - where you literally plunge down into the oblivion of a hole in the ground at a terrifying - but exciting - 90 degrees.