Hundreds queue to ride York wheel

The creation of the Yorkshire Wheel has created about 30 new jobs

Hundreds of people have queued to be among the first to ride Yorkshire's only giant observation wheel.

The Yorkshire Wheel has finally opened in York after being hit by two delays in less than a week.

The 60m (200ft) wheel towers over the National Railway Museum and is about 9m lower than the city's famous Minster.

The first customers queued outside waiting for their chance to ride the wheel, and as they left their pods most described the views as "breathtaking".

First in the queue were retired couple Albert and Joan McConnell, from Leeds.

As he left his capsule, Mr McConnell said: "It's much higher than we expected but it is as good as we thought it would be.

"We come to York once a week and a city like this deserves something as good as this. We were here a week or so ago and it was all just Meccano.

"I can't believe how fast they've built it."

Visitor attraction

National Railway Museum managers believe the wheel could help attract up to 1m more visitors to York over the three years it is scheduled to be open.

Enjoying one of the first trips, museum head of commercial development Judith Whitaker said: "This is great for the city of York. Who wouldn't want to have an icon like this in their city?

"We have had huge amounts of interest already and everyone is very excited."

A public launch of the new attraction had been due to take place on Friday but bad weather and delays in getting parts from Europe postponed the opening until Monday, and then again until today as final safety checks were made.

The wheel's creation at the NRM is a joint venture between the museum and World Tourist Attractions Ltd, whose own application to build a wheel near the River Ouse was withdrawn last year.

Passengers in its 42 climate-controlled viewing capsules can enjoy panoramic views across the city and more than 30 miles beyond.