WEYMOUTH is set to get its own version of the London Eye - a 28-metre big wheel.

A plan to site the wheel on the town beach has been submitted to Weymouth and Portland Borough Council.

If successful the observation wheel would offer views of the World Heritage coastline, the inner harbour, the town centre, the Nothe and Portland.

The current tenants of Alexandra Gardens, J Holland and Sons Ltd, have applied to the council for a licence to operate the wheel in the summer months.

The wheel, made in Italy, would be sited next to the old aquarium and could become a major tourist attraction.

Councillor Ian James, briefholder for economy and tourism, said: "This is potentially a fantastic tourism opportunity for the borough, which could mean a major new attraction appearing on Weymouth seafront.

"It is an ambitious plan and we'll obviously have to look closely at the safety issues, but it principle the wheel could be a real asset that would help boost visit numbers to the resort as a whole."

Like the London Eye, the wheel would be made up of enclosed carriages rotating at slow speed, allowing passengers to get on and off at the bottom of the ride.

Drawings of the wheel reveal it will have 20 carriages.

During the evenings it will be floodlit to attract visitors to the beach area and seafront businesses.

The wheel will be moved during the winter months to a city location.

J Holland and Sons will operate the wheel.

The council will charge a fee for the licence but the profits will go to the company.

Councillors will be asked at a meeting next week to grant a trial licence.

Officers have already recommended it should run between March 1 and, at the latest, November 6 in 2007 and 2008.

If agreed it means the council accepts the principle of the scheme.

If health and safety issues are met J Holland and Sons will then have to submit a full planning application.

The plan is for the wheel to be built and operating by June.

However any delays in the process beyond June will mean the scheme being put back until next summer.

The proposal is due to be considered by the council's management committee on April 3.