ANGRY owners of flats on Minehead’s seafront met members of the town’s events group behind closed doors on Tuesday to complain about what they said was a lack of consultation over the summer’s big attraction - the big wheel.

More than 20 residents were involved in what was described as a “very, very heated” discussion about the siting of the 108 foot high wheel - a smaller version of the London Eye - in front of their flats for six weeks during July and August.

The protesters met for a private meeting with events group members - district councillors Andrew Hadley, Richard Lillis and Karen Mills, lead member for economic development and tourism - and representatives from Minehead Chamber of Commerce - chairman Alex de Mendoza and Graham Sizer.

Later, Cllrs Hadley and Mills chaired a public meeting to listen to suggestions from local residents and businesses.

Cllr Mills said that meeting the flat-owners had been “useful and constructive”.

But flat owner Graham Wells said there had been a lot of bad feeling and objections to the wheel: “It was right outside my window. I think it was a great thing but a pity that it was located in that particular spot.”

He said that inadequate consultation with nearby residents had caused great concern, and he hoped the group would look at an alternative location in the future.

“If it had been in front of the Queen’s Hall, that would have been perfect,” he said.