Swedish officials approve giant moose

LULEA, Sweden, Nov. 27 (UPI) -- Northern Sweden officials have given the go-ahead for developers to construct a 148-foot-tall restaurant and concert hall shaped like a giant moose.

Officials said the planned venue, which will seat 350, will offer visitors the chance to take in a high-up view of the valleys from the building's location atop Vithatten mountain, The Local reported Tuesday.

Thorbjorn Holmlund, owner of the Svansele wilderness center and creator of the plans for the giant moose restaurant, said he was surprised when his brainchild -- named Stoom, which translates as "The Big One" -- received the all-clear from the local government.

"This is such unbelievably good news. My whole body is shaking with joy," Holmlund told The Local.

He said the venue is likely to be a boon to the area's tourist trade.

"We have so much to offer up here, with all our cheeses, the gold of Lapland, and so much more besides. I think Stoorn will help us attract lots of international tourism," Holmlund said.