Due to open on 3 July, the tower ran its first ‘test flight’ on Wednesday, giving visitors a 360 degree panoramic view from 450 feet in the air.

With capacity for up to 200 passengers at a time, the £46 million i360 will offer visitors a unique view of Brighton’s iconic coastline on each 20 minute trip.

Designed by Marks Barfield Architects, a London-based firm whose work includes the London Eye and the treetop walkway in Kew Gardens, the tower is hoped to “delight”, “entertain”, and “inspire” people.

Architect David Marks said: “Our idea behind this is very simple. It is to give people pleasure.”

Divided opinion

However the tower has divided local opinion, with some Brighton residents calling it a “stunning” piece of modern architecture, and others viewing it as a “monster” that ruins Brighton’s iconic promenade (Luke Barber - Euronews)