City's big wheel opens to public

The 60m-high wheel is lit by 51,000 light bulbs

An observation wheel towering 60m (196ft) above Manchester is to open to the public on Friday.

The 42-carriage wheel, similar to the London Eye, has been built in Exchange Square for tourists and shoppers in the run-up to Christmas.

Twenty-four lorries helped bring in the construction, and it has been erected piece by piece over the past few weeks.

The attraction was in Paris for two years and features a "VIP gondola", designed for President Jacques Chirac.

The special carriage comes complete with leather seats, carpets, a fridge and telephone.

The 60m-high wheel, which is lit by 51,000 light bulbs, will tower above the city's Urbis museum, offering views for miles.

A ride on the wheel, which is open to the public until February, will last about 10 minutes.

The attraction opens at 1800 BST.