PLANS for a giant wheel to be set up in a city centre car park in Oxford have been withdrawn, it emerged today.

Great City Attractions submitted a planning application to the city council to set up the attraction in Worcester Street car park for three months over the Christmas period.

But now it is withdrawing the plan, which was opposed by county council leader Keith Mitchell and the Oxford Civic Society.

Max Carlish, a spokesman for Great City Attractions, said: “After a review of the available trading dates, and based on feedback received during the consultation process, Great City Attractions has decided to withdraw the current planning application for an observation wheel in Worcester Street car park.

“The company is now assessing an opportunity to have a temporary operation for the wheel during the summer in a different location which will help support a summer programme of events.”

The firm runs big wheels in cities across Europe including London, Manchester, Paris and Brussels.