Leeds big wheel opens to public

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-leeds-21477862

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A 200ft (60m) tall big wheel has opened to the public in Leeds city centre, four years after the search for a suitable site first began.

The Observation Wheel Leeds (OWL) has been built at the Markets car park between George Street and Union Street.

Carrying a maximum of 240 passengers at any one time, the OWL was previously located in London for the Olympics and the royal wedding in 2011.

The wheel will operate in Leeds city centre until Sunday 21 April.

'Bird's eye view'

Edward Mellors, from wheel operators The Mellors Group, said it had been "quite a feat" to find a location for the OWL in Leeds.

"It has taken a number of years to find a suitable site within the city that can accommodate this size of structure, and we are delighted that we have now found one," he said.

Trips on the OWL, for which an admission fee will be charged, will last about 12 minutes and the views of the city could extend up to 10 miles, said Leeds City Council.

Council leader Keith Wakefield said the big wheel offered "a real bird's eye view" of Leeds.

"It is a great addition to the new tourist campaign aimed at boosting visitors and investment in the city," he added.