AN ESCAPE room has launched in Dursley.

Called The Heist, it is located in Parsonage Street.

For the uninitiated, an escape room is a venue where a group of people work together to solve puzzles to find a way out of a locked room before the time limit runs out. A games master watches over the team and provides hints if needed to help make the experience as enjoyable as possible.

Heist director Charlotte Marwood said: "We have built a pop up escape room as a new entertainment venue for our town.

"Accessible in level to first time escape room players and old hands alike, for everyone from eight years old to 80, the challenge is to solve the puzzles to access the diamond and get out within the hour.

"Open across the week and at weekends, we hope to welcome all from near and far.

"We're adaptable to groups requiring a bespoke time and open to new ideas and opportunities. Come and say hello, email us or simply book a game online at www.theengine.org.uk."

One person who recently visited The Heist with their family said: "As two of our group were first timers, with little to no idea what to expect, we were hoping rather than expecting to pull off the heist in the allotted time.

"The opening story was easy to understand – solve the puzzles to steal the huge diamond. The puzzles were varied, logical and engaging. As soon as we entered the room we were hooked.

"My scatter gun approach was soon reigned in and the three of us began to work as a team in a well balanced exciting experience.

"It allowed us to bond and discover new things about each other e.g. the 11 year old will just get on with it whilst mum and dad have a ‘debate’.

"I think it would be excellent for beginners and hardcore enthusiasts alike, and would like to thank Charlie for ‘guiding’ us when we needed it."

The Heist escape room is the first initiative of a Dursley based Community Interest Company (CIC) called The Engine.

A CIC is a special type of limited company which exists to benefit the community rather than private shareholders.

"The Heist is the first of what is hoped to be many new social enterprises that The Engine supports, mentors and launches," said Charlotte.

"As an anchor or ‘hub’ we hope to be innovative, dynamic and able to deliver the impetus and resources to support Cam and Dursley grow in entrepreneurial activity with social purpose.

"The escape room is leading the way in promoting our vision, acknowledging a need for ‘something to do’ locally across a wide audience, stimulating footfall on Parsonage Street, with the potential to reach far and wide regarding regeneration, education, work, corporate experience, tourism, the list is endless."

For further information on the work of The Engine or enquiries regarding The Escape Room contact charlie@theengine.org.uk