Move over London Eye, Brighton's i360 is here and it's bigger and better

The world's tallest moving observation tower opens to the public on 4 August 2016. The British Airways i360 consists of a glass viewing pod that slowly ascends a 162-metre (530 feet) slender mast on Brighton's seafront. The new attraction is the brainchild of David Marks and Julia Barfield, the husband and wife team of architects who originated and designed the London Eye. The Brighton tower is 27 metres taller than the capital's observation wheel.

Situated at the site of Brighton's famous derelict West Pier, the i360 is designed to serve as a 'vertical pier'. The architects say it will allow "visitors to 'walk on air' and gain a new perspective of the city, just as they 'walked on water' in the past and viewed the city from the sea".

The glass viewing pod is 10 times the size of a London Eye capsule and can hold up to 200 people at a time. In the evenings, the pod becomes a Sky Bar – allowing groups to party as they take in the 360 degree views of the city by night.

On a clear day, visitors will enjoy breathtaking 360 degree views for up to 26 miles. Sadly, it was overcast on press day so visibility wasn't great, but hopefully these photos give an idea of how the i360 will offer a bird's eye 360 degree view of Brighton, and – on a clear day – much more.