Merlin Entertainments Group will aim for a flotation within three years and, in the long term, challenge Walt Disney's ascendancy as the number one theme park operator, its chief executive said.

Nick Varney said he expected the Blackstone-owned group to roll out four or five new attractions a year across Europe and the US for the foreseeable future, as well as up to four hotels in the next five years to increase the length ofvisitor stays.