First Angry Birds theme park planned for Asia

It is the game that has taken over the world, been downloaded by millions and even spawned activity parks in Nottinghamshire and Finland.

Now, however, the franchise is set to open its first theme park in Asia.

Angry Birds Land will be built near Shanghai in China's Zhejiang province.

It will be themed around the app, which sees gamers fire cartoon birds at fortresses in an attempt to eliminate evil green pigs.

The park comes after the Angry Birds attraction in the Sarkanniemi Amusement Park in Tampere, Finland, which opened in April.

A smaller activity park also opened in August at Sundown Adventureland in Nottinghamshire, with Angry Birds-inspired swings, climbing frames and slides.

Rovio, the makers of Angry Birds, has already launched a playground at the Tongji University campus in Shanghai.

Rovio's general manager for China, Paul Chen, told AFP: "People in China want to get out and spend their free time at a leisure destination.

"We're hoping to open (the theme park) by Chinese New Year next year, February."