AN ESCAPE room in Bolton has been given a make over ahead of its relaunch.

Crack It Bolton offers a Crystal Maze-style challenge with three different themes to test participants mental and physical skills.

Crack It has the luxury of space with more than 3,000 square feet and visiting teams can play their challenge over 12 different rooms with a variety of puzzles.

Saj Mohamed who is overseeing Crack It’s relaunch said it was different to the usual escape rooms people might have experience, which only take place in one locked room or over two rooms.

Visitors take part in teams and can try out any of the three themed areas, the Haunted Mansion, the Pirates Cove or the Boot Camp.

Games include Dressed to Kill, Polybius and The Blind Captain.

Each puzzle requires at least two players, with a team of up to eight players getting an hour to complete as many puzzles as they can in one of the three areas.

Larger teams can book out more than one area during their visit.

Mr Mohamed said: "It depends what kind of experience you want.

“Boot camp is very hard but the pirates cove is good for a laugh. And Haunted mansion has a mixture of both."

Of the 12 rooms visitors can try during their hour they have to complete at least five of the challengers to be eligible to go on to try their hands at the bonus game.

Crack It is suitable to a variety of ages said Mr Mohamed.

He said: "We have had plenty of children from the local schools booked in.

“It’s really good for them because there’s a lot of skill, logic, maths and most importantly team bonding involved, you have to work together with smart teamwork which the teachers love to see. The feedback has been incredible."

Usually Mr Mohamed said the games would be for those aged 11 and over but when a family wanted to come with their seven-year-old daughter the team was flexible.

Mr Mohamed said: "We didn’t charge for her and she did better than the mum and dad and the rest of her siblings, she stole the show."

The puzzles were all designed by a boardgame fanatic from Warrington who has levelled up from his job as a call-centre worker to become chief games master for Crack It.

Mike Park has appeared on TV shows like The Chase, Britain’s Best Brain and 15-1.

He was headhunted by the Crack It team to create 36 bespoke puzzle rooms for them.

Mr Park got the job after Crackit Challenge’s owners spotted him on ITV’s The Chase where he spoke about designing puzzles at home in his spare time.

When designing them Mr Park had his collection of 600 boardgames at home and in storage to use as inspiration.

  • Crack It, Highmead House, Halliwell Road opens seven days 10am-10pm, with onsite parking. Prices vary depending on the number of players. Two-three players, £24 per person. Four-five players, £22 per person. Six-eight players, £20 per person. Book a session by calling the team on 01204 371 186. For 10% off use code CrackitBol10.

Pictures: Designers Room