AFTER 12 years of planning, consulting, funding and finally building, the i360 will today open.

The first public flight will be at 2pm ahead of a spectacular firework and light display for the official opening of the 162m attraction.

Yesterday the great and good of Sussex were given the VIP treatment with chief executive Eleanor Harris and architects David Marks and Julia Barfield joining them in the pod.

Among those who enjoyed the special flight included DJ Fatboy Slim, Brighton and Hove Mayor Pete West, the High Sheriff of East Sussex Michael Foster and Argus editor Mike Gilson.

Geoffrey Theobald, Conservative group leader on the city council, said: "I compliment the architects and the brilliant engineers - it's another coup for Brighton and Hove."

The High Sheriff added: “It was a massive experience and I hope it will be successful.”

The VIP flight also attracted a large crowd on the ground as the glass covered donut slowly moved up the pole.

John Marley, 64, from the North Laine area of Brighton, sat and watched the historic moment on the steps near the Regency Square war memorial.

He said: "I wouldn't have voted for it but now its here I'm determined to love it and support it. I think it will be a real attraction."

Yesterday was also a big day for i360 bosses with the first reviews appearing in the national papers following a media day on Tuesday.

Harry Mount, from the Daily Mail, described the 20 minute journey as exhilarating.

He said: "The tower is, in the end, sheer, vertical fun - the sort of madcap architecture that fits right in with the chintzy, jolly world of kiss-me-quick hats and Brighton rock."

Oliver Wainwright, of The Guardian, wasn't as sold, but still found reasons to be excited by its opening.

He bemoaned the ground level building which he described as "a rather clumsy glass and steel box" adding that the high tech look does not sit comfortably with the seaside setting.

However, he could not help but be impressed by the view, despite the bad weather on Tuesday.

He wrote: "Brighton’s steeply sloping topography becomes ever more apparent as you glide upwards, as does the pattern of buttery Regency terraces, framing squares that open on to the waterfront to capitalise on views of the sea.

"The merry hotchpotch of the seafront’s bandstands, paddling pools and beach volleyball courts then slowly flattens out into a train-set landscape, until the Palace Pier is reduced to nothing but a spindly finger of twinkling lights."

The firework display opening will begin at 10pm tonight.

ATTRACTION’S SUPPORTERS GIVE VERDICT: ‘YOU FEEL YOU’RE SUSPENDED IN THE AIR’

SUPPORTERS and partners of a project that has taken 12 years to come to fruition were among the first to take a flight on the i360 yesterday.

Geoffrey Theobald, leader of the Conservative group on Brighton and Hove City Council, said: “Having backed this from the start, it’s wonderful to be here.

“It went up very smoothly. I compliment the architects and the brilliant engineers – it’s another coup for Brighton and Hove.”

John Baldock, general manager of Theatre Royal Brighton, said: “It’s fantastic to see the i360 up and running.

“It’s a brilliant attraction and piece of engineering. The views from up top were amazing. I think it’s great that Brighton has got a new and very different kind of pier.

“I wish everyone involved the very best of luck and I hope that in time it’s as established in the city as Theatre Royal Brighton is.”

Lynda Hyde, former city mayor, said: “It was a brilliant experience. I really enjoyed viewing our city from a great height, particularly our Regency squares.”

Ollie Wilson, a 53-year-old journalist, said: “I thought it was awe-inspiring. It exceeded all my expectations.

“I couldn’t recommend it enough. It’s also an amazing piece of engineering.”

Jayne Bennett, a councillor for Hove Park, said: “I thought it was absolutely amazing. It’s a fabulous attraction to have in our city.”

Michael Foster, the High Sheriff of East Sussex, said: “It was a massive experience and I hope it will be successful. It’s certainly comparable to the London Eye. And it’s not at all frightening, not even for the kids.”

Sue Addis, managing director of the Donatello and Pinocchio restaurants, said: “I feel it will benefit all businesses and residents by adding another unique feature to our city.

“Moving forward I hope it will be the start of the regeneration of the whole stretch of our seafront.”

Holly Austen, who works for Tourism South East, said: “It was excellent and a lovely experience.

“The city seems bigger than you imagine with the Downs in the background.”

Hannah Boakes, marketing manager of Sea Life Brighton, said: “We are just really excited as a fellow local business to be teaming up with the i360 and really excited to see what it’s going to bring. It was a really good flight.”

Joe Miller, a councillor for Rottingdean, said: “It was quite overwhelming. It’s an ambitious project and a great tourist attraction.

“Seeing the city from an entirely different angle makes you appreciate it.”

Mellissa Hamilton, who lives in Portslade and works for BA as cabin crew at Gatwick, said: “Spectacular views, amazing flight. It’s great to see iconic landmarks like the Peace Statue and to be taller than the tower blocks in Brighton from that perspective.”

Bill Smith, who runs Latest TV, said: “Brighton has so many attractions that are based on the past. Nothing could showcase the future more than this. You get the whole vista of the city.

“There were people up there who don’t like heights much, but they said it’s fine.”

Gabrielle Gregory, who works for We Are Tilt, a media company partner of the i360, said: “It genuinely surpassed all my expectations. You really do feel as if you are suspended in the air.

“The views were not what I expected. Just marvellous.”

William Ranieri, who helped make a documentary of the i360, said: “It really feels like being on an aeroplane, so I can see why they called it a flight. I have been involved with this step by step, and seen it grow, so I appreciate it.”

Anthony Carpendale, a Brighton film-maker, said: “You can see for miles and it is very relaxing. I would be interested in going up during a thunderstorm, just to be in the middle of it.”