He said the Earth Centre near Doncaster, South Yorkshire, was in many ways "greater" than the dome.

Kevin Bocquet reports: "Britain's first enviornmental adventure theme park"

The centre, the UK's first landmark millennium attraction, aims to show people how to live and work in a sustainable environment.

The first phase will not officially open until 2 April, but Mr Meacher paid a visit on Monday.

The centre has been built on the site of Cadeby Colliery which was closed in 1986 with devastating effects on the local community.

The centre has been built on the site of former coal mines

Mr Meacher said: "The Earth Centre is going to be every bit as exciting and attract as many people as the Millennium Dome.

"I think the dome is pretty eye-catching but I do believe in many ways this is greater still.

"It has come out of the decline and degeneration of the pits and coalfields and is a symbol of the renaissance of South Yorkshire."

Ecology park

The first phase of the centre includes a 400-acre ecology park, galleries, bike train and gardens.

The second and third phases, featuring wind turbines and a huge solar canopy, should be completed by 2002.

The centre's energy will be provided by sunlight and an underfloor natural air hearing system, while plants will be fed with visitors' sewage taken from vacuum-operated toilets which need a tenth less water than conventional toilets.

The centre uses the latest technologies as well as ancient practices to demonstrate how humans can exist in a sustainable future.

Organic food

This means creating buildings using a minimum of resources, producing good quality organic food, and choosing appropriate transport.

The site where the centre is built, and nearby rivers, canals and land, were heavily polluted, but the project has tranformed the landscape.

Phase one of the centre has cost £42m, half of which has been provided by the Millennium Commission. The centre has also been supported by several organisations across Europe and the local community.

It has created 150 jobs initially, in an area where 30% of the population is unemployed.

By the time the third phase is finished, the estimated cost of the centre, built close to the 12th Century Conisborough Castle, will be £100m.

Organisers hope it will attract at least 500,000 people in its first year.

Conference

Mr Meacher addressed a conference on the Earth Centre, called Yorkshire and the Humber: Planning for sustainable development in the new millennium.

He said: "The Earth Centre is in itself a living and breathing example of sustainability which I am sure will encourage people to think more deeply about the environment.

"The government is wholly committed to promoting and putting into practice a key aim of sustainable development - to provide improved quality for life, for everyone, now and in the future."

Twenty million people live within a two-hour car drive, but alternative forms of transport will be encouraged with discounted admission.

Jonathan Smales: 'Future needs shaping'

The Earth Centre's chief executive Jonathan Smales said: "If we want the future we would all prefer, one we can trust to benefit our children's children, we need to take part in shaping that future.

"In a world with holes in the ozone layer and of persistent poverty, our mission at the Earth Centre is to help people become involved in the process of achieving it in their own lives.

"Not only will the first phase be a lot of fun and an exciting day out, it will be a different experience for visitors.

"They will take away a sound knowledge and practical ideas on how they can live a sustainable life."