MANSFIELD'S Big Wheel in the Market Place opened to the public on Saturday lunchtime - immediately drawing large crowds.
Shoppers and town centre visitors alike were eager to ride the 35m-high structure, which has been gradually erected throughout the past week outside the Old Town Hall.
The tourist attraction offers great views of the town and surrounding area - and was also helping to boost trade on nearby market stalls on Saturday.
- Click the green 'play' icon to see a short video sequence of footage filmed from the wheel by Chad reporter Adam Raistrick.
Our photographs of its erection, taken throughout the week, and of the launch on Saturday show how the Ferris wheel will dominate the skyline over the town for a month.
The wheel will stay in the Market Place until 8th November and tickets cost £3, £2 for under fives. It will be open until 7pm weekdays, 10pm at weekends.
Paralympic gold medalist Sam Hynd was among a host of VIP guests who enjoyed the first ride on the 144-seat big wheel.
The 17-year-old Kirkby swimmer was joined by Mansfield mayor Tony Egginton, the driving force behind bringing the Bug Wheel to the town, for the five-minute ride.
He said he was confident the attraction would prove a big hit with townsfolk and enjoy the same success as other wheels in Nottingham and London.
"The attractions have been overwhelmingly popular in these cities and I am positive that this will be the same here in Mansfield," he said.
"This offers our residents the rare opportunity to see their district from the sky and for visitors to see from this perspective the many and varied attractions Mansfield has to offer.
"The wheel will be open for four weeks, offering plenty of opportunities for people to have a ride –– and to go home and tell their families and friends!"
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