WATCH: It's bostin! All eyes on new Dudley ferris wheel

And people have got a new perspective on the town after taking the first trips on the town's new ferris wheel.

Just three months ago people were jumped on board the 115ft high wheel to see the sights over Birmingham city centre.

But now the wheel has been brought to the Black Country with business bosses hoping it will boost visitors to Dudley.

The DY Eye took its first customers up in the sky after its grand launch on Saturday.

Families, friends and residents queued to get their first trip up after the official opening by the Mayor of Dudley, Councillor Steve Waltho.

Standing in Stone Street Square, officials say its arrival is the 'catalyst' to showcase the transformation of the town centre in recent months.

They are keen to welcome people into the town centre following major projects such as the £6 million revamp of Dudley Market Place.

Its arrival has also attracted interest from other touring attractions from across the world to come to Dudley.

The recently formed Dudley Business Group has brought together traders and entrepreneurs in the town to work on the project.

Dudley Council leader, Councillor Pete Lowe, said it was a major way to market the newly revamped Dudley to tourists and new visitors.

"It is a bostin' initiative. This is another stage of the regeneration of Dudley. You've seen the market place investment, Coronation Gardens, the new lighting of buildings in the town.

"Now we have the DY Eye. The impressive thing now is that we have been able to the bring all partners together. The council working with market traders, the business group, to bring something exciting to the town.

"This is the first time the wheel has ever come to the Black Country.

"We are punching above our weight. We want to be able to compete."

Len Lenihan, who is chairman of Dudley Market Traders Ltd, said it had been a good project to work on.

"It took a while for people to think that this was possible," he said. "The council has worked with local businesses and Dudley Business Group to bring about this attraction.

"There will be other activities and events later this month going on.

"Hopefully that will give the opportunity for the general public to see the changes in the town which have taken place over the last two years and lead to an increase in the footfall coming in.

"The transformation has been amazing. But we want this to be catalyst to see what we can bring in the future. We have events planned around the Black Country Festival. Others at Christmas.

"After seeing this I've had an email from a company in Australia who want to bring a 400m long slide to Dudley. It shows the interest.

"We are looking at everything. We don't have all the ideas and the plans but we want to work with the council. Because working against the council is not the way that we have been able to get things done."

He added: "If you want things to change you have to be proactive. Towns have to change in the future.

"People might say why spend money on a wheel thinking the council spent money but most of it has come from private businesses."

Dudley Business Group is hoping to become a charity in the new few months in a bid to help secure funding for more actives.

Midland Air Ambulance is the charity partner on the project.

Spokeswoman Helen Stevens said: "To be part of something so big in Dudley community is really important not just from a fundraising perspective. But alsqo raising awareness of the charity. There has been a real buzz in the town today."

Among those taking a trip on the wheel was Sara Thomas, aged 23, with her partner Jack Davis, 28, and her two children, Carla, three, and four-year-old Khloe.

"I think it's great. There needs to be more things to do in Dudley. More people would come here if there was," said Miss Thomas, a shop assistant from Birmingham New Road, Dudley.

Couple Marty Phillips and Toni Coleman, both aged 18, also took a trip on the wheel. "You get a great view over the town. It is good to have one here," said Miss Coleman from Pensnett.