BLACKBURN’S big wheel is set to become a regular Christmas fixture after it was revealed it had attracted more than 15,000 punters.

Council bosses said there was no reason why the 108ft wheel could not return next year to boost festive trade in the town centre.

Blackburn with Darwen council leader Michael Lee said: “I think it went really well, and brought people into town, including those who might not have come in previously.

“It was a good idea that seemed to catch people’s imagination.”

Asked whether it should return next year, Coun Lee said: “In my view, yes. I would certainly like to see it again.”

A total of 15,441 people took a ride in just over three weeks, paying £1 a time. Bosses claimed it broke even because of sponsorship after taking into account the publicity it generated.

Saturdays were the most busy day, and 600 people took a turn on Boxing Day.

The wheel has been better received than the previous year’s “igloo” tent, set up on the same spot outside the town hall on King William Street.

But it got off to a sticky start when National Grid dug up large parts of the square to replace underground gas pipes, with bosses admitting the work was not urgent.

Phil Ainsworth, of the town centre partnership, said: “We’ve got to be delighted with the way it went for the first year.

“Now it needs to be taken forward and become the centrepiece for more things happening in the town centre.

“It will have more influence next year when the work on the shopping centre is complete.”