Greenwich Wheel to start turning

The Greenwich Wheel is higher than Nelson's Column

A 180ft-high (55m) wheel has been added to the south-east London skyline providing panoramic views of the city.

The Greenwich Wheel, located at the Old Royal Naval College, will offer views beyond the Tower of London to Hampstead Heath and the Lea Valley Olympic site.

The council had previously rejected the plan saying it would ruin the historic skyline of the World Heritage Site.

The wheel has 40 gondolas each holding six people and it will complete a rotation in about 15 minutes.

Organisers said the new attraction, which is higher than Nelson's Column in Trafalgar Square, will draw crowds to the area in the absence of the 19th Century tea clipper Cutty Sark.

The historic ship, which was undergoing renovation, was damaged in a fire last year.

The temporary free-standing structure will open to the public on Friday and will operate until 28 September.