The owners of the London Eye have announced they are to invest over £10 million in the tourist attraction, to make it environmentally friendly.

Merlin Entertainments Group, owners of the Eye, said the £12.5m upgrade will improve heating and ventilation in the 32 capsules, to make it more energy efficient.

Air-conditioning will also be upgraded to cope with the regular heatwaves that global warming is expected to bring into the capital in the upcoming years.

-- Advertisement --

Meanwhile, one of the improved capsules will also have celing-mounted screens and better multi-media and wi-fi to improve music and visuals. These improvements will be rolled out to the rest of the capsules at later dates.

David Sharpe from Merlin Entertainments Group said: "This will ensure the London Eye operates at maximum efficiency and is cutting down its carbon footprint well into the future."

According to the company, the changes mean the capsules will not need any maintenance work for up to 20 years.

The upgrade is due to start this summer and will be completed by 2012.

(JM/BMcC)