'We're proud of Dudley': Traders hit back after DY Eye branded 'worst tourist attraction in Britain'

That was the defiant message from civic leaders today who have hit out at critics branding the Dudley Eye as the 'worst tourist attraction in Britain'.

People have taken to social media to slam the new 114ft ferris wheel installed on Saturday - known as the DY Eye - and even Piers Morgan has waded into the argument, saying the attraction towering over the town centre gives a 'horrible view'.

But people in the town and council leaders have backed the wheel, standing in Stone Street Square, saying it is a good attraction.

The wheel cost £10,000 to install, funded by Dudley market traders, led by group chairman Len Lenihan and the council spending £3,300 each.

The remainder of the money is coming from local businesses through sponsorship. Any money made through the sale of tickets goes back to the wheel operator.

It will remain in place until April 10 and costs £4 for adults and £3 for children.

Dudley councillor Khurshid, in charge of the town's regeneration, said people should give the town a chance.

"I just don't know where this is coming from," he said. "I'm proud of Dudley and we are working hard to make sure Dudley can flourish.

"This is coming from people who have not even been on the wheel.

"The feedback from a lot of people is that it has brought new people and families into Dudley

"The views show that we have shown the revamp of the town while keeping the history.

"What would they want us to do, take all the office blocks down?"

Dudley Council leader Pete Lowe branded the claims 'absolute nonsense'.

"It shows the regeneration of the town," he said. "You can also see things that forged the whole of the Industrial Revolution here in Dudley."

Dudley North MP Ian Austin said: "Shop owners and traders on the market told me the town was busier than usual.

"I think Len Lenihan and his colleagues are doing a really good job promoting the town and encouraging new visitors and we should all get behind them and support their efforts instead of talking the town down."

Steve Edwards, who runs Facebook page The Only Way is Dudley, said: "I have been on the ride a few times. The view on it on a clear day is absolutely amazing.

"I think the negativity needs to be forgotten about and attention needs to be drawn on what is good.

"It should be about what is good for the area, it is also raising money for Midlands Air Ambulance.

"The feedback has been amazing. I had a response from an 80-year-old who went on and she said it is the best thing she has ever done.

"There were hundreds of people at the launch and they wouldn't normally be there in Dudley."

But former newspaper editor Morgan, speaking on Good Morning Britain yesterday, said: "The people of Dudley are lovely. I love people from the Midlands.

"But let's be honest even people in Dudley know that's a horrible view.

"Why on earth would you build a wheel to look at 400 year old bricks.

"I cannot think of a grimmer panorama than Dudley.

"I don't think event the people of Dudley, who have a great sense of humour, they must be looking at that and saying even I don't want to see that and I live in Dudley."

Other people had strong views on whether the wheel was value for money for the town during tough economic times.

Adam Dugmore, on Twitter, said: "I'd love to see some investment into filling the endless amount of empty shops instead we get a ferris wheel."