Unsure E&S reporter turns into Eye fan: We check out Dudley ferris wheel after Piers Morgan launches attack

But our reporter Jamie Brassington wanted to see for himself whether the Dudley Eye really is as bad as some people are saying by going up on it.

It's the biggest ferris wheel the Black Country has ever seen – providing panoramic views of the town and surrounding areas.

And although everyone knows Dudley is not the most glamorous town in the country, surely it can't be the worst attraction in the whole country?

The huge ferris wheel was brought in to help attract more people in to the town and was funded through sponsorships by local businesses.

Here's Jamie's report: "Sitting in a seat, the wheel carousel slowly travels upwards, giving people a bird's eye view of the historic town. Travelling all the way up to 114 feet, it is surprising what can be seen.

"Some of the famous landmarks that jump out while you're up there include the medieval Dudley Castle, which stands proudly on the hill top. Sitting beneath the castle were the green spaces of the zoo, which also proved interesting to see from above ground level.

"What also catches the eye is the bustling, built-up conurbation of Sandwell and Birmingham.

"The scattered towering blocks of flats and high-rise buildings seem to rise up from the horizon and there's also green space and parkland of Dudley's suburbs which brighten up the landscape.

"In the opposite direction, Dudley's Top Church rises highest above the town centre and to the west of that you can get a good view of Stourbridge.

"Although it doesn't give the most breathtaking views, looking out of Dudley's Eye certainly offered food for thought and, at just £4 a go for adults and £3 for children, it's worth it."

Others felt the same. Richard Rowbottom, aged 36 from Brierley Hill, said: "It is great that this attraction is in Dudley, it is bigger than I expected.

"I know people said it was meant to be big, but I didn't think that it would be this big.

"The wheel is good for our area. It is different and offers the town something else."

Sameer Xec, aged 34, originally from London but now living in Dudley, said: shared the same views. He was there to go on the wheel with his family. "It was good fun for the kids. It is nice to see this attraction in Dudley." said Sameer, aged 34.

"Before you would have to go to London's Eye to experience this type of attraction."

Trevor Davies, 56, from Wolverhampton, said: "It is very good, Dudley needs something like this. It will be good for children in the holidays. There should be a wheel really that is permanent in the town centre."

Among the Dudley Eye's critics has been TV presenter Piers Morgan, who said on Good Morning Britain yesterday: "I can't think of a grimmer panorama than Dudley." But traders in the town have hit back at the critics. Len Leniham, frommanaging director of Dudley Market Traders' Association, said: "ANot everyone is going to be in favour of something like this.

"But all of the negative feedback has come from people who haven't been on the ride. We did a survey after the launch of the ride and the response was excellent. We had to open the ride early on its launch due to the queue that had formed."

Mohammed Sagir, from chairman of Voices of Dudley Businesses, added: "We should be proud of Dudley. The attraction is good for the town and has brought in new faces."