Piers Morgan gets Dudley invite after 'grim' jibe at town's DY Eye

Now campaigners want to know if Piers Morgan is brave enough to show his face in the town.

The Good Morning Britain host poked fun at the DY Eye ferris wheel in the town centre and has been urged to pay a visit on April 1 to see it for himself.

But proud fans of Dudley have made sure Morgan's face will be on show - even if the man himself doesn't make an appearance.

Campaigners have offered free rides to anyone turning up on the morning of April 1 wearing a Morgan mask.

The masks are the brainchild of Arcade Toy Shop owner Dave Carter, who said Morgan's comments had 'galvanised' town residents.

He said: "We have asked Piers to come down but I think we realised it's unlikely he will on a Friday morning.

"So we thought we'd have a bit of fun and get him down here in spirit, with as many people as we can dressed as him.

"You never know - we might even set a world record.

"What he said was quite hurtful really and he's clearly never been to Dudley and doesn't know the people of Dudley.

"More than 4,000 people have now ridden the wheel and that shows it's a success already.

"All the publicity has done us a big favour and has galvanised people and brought them together."

Mr Carter said '95 per cent' of reviews of the wheel had been positive, and he knew of visitors who had travelled from Taunton and Stoke just to sample the views.

Dudley Council leader Councillor Pete Lowe wrote on Twitter: "On April 1st @piersmorgan is invited to see the @FreeRadioDYeye in all its splender @GMB. 7am start....How many Piers can you spot?"

The wheel has been branded the 'worst tourist attraction in Britain' while the outspoken Morgan said he could think of 'no grimmer panorama than Dudley'.

Visitors who turn up to the ride from 7am to 10am on April 1 in a Morgan mask will get free entry.

The masks can be printed off on the Arcade Toy Shop Facebook page.