A giant new ride is set to open in a famous UK seaside town this summer. Weymouth, situated at the heart of the Jurassic Coast in Dorset, welcomes a huge fairground every summer, filled with a number of rides that make for a great day out.

The town attracts around two million day trippers every year, with the majority attracted to its iconic beach. Tourists this summer will be lucky enough to experience a new ride at Weymouth Central Beach which has been compared to the Ferris Wheel in Skegness. As reported by the Mirror, the Observation Wheel, which will stand at 108ft (33m) tall, will boast some of the best views of the town. It is being funded by the fairground operator, not the council. A council spokesperson said: "The rides have been merged onto one site this year, and we're excited about a brand-new attraction coming to the beach this season – an observation wheel.

"The rides located on the merged site include: the trampolines, the balloon ride, the pirate coaster, the pirate ship, the paratrooper, the helter skelter, and the chair o plane. These popular rides are being set up currently and are due to start operating once this is complete."

Although it is yet to have an opening date, the Observation Wheel will be set up after the other attraction sites. However, Dorset Council said it received no comments of support for the wheel and 38 objections.

Locals argue the ride will have a negative impact on the beach. One resident said: "We are turning [the beach] into a funfair. This is not what people come to Weymouth for. We will drive people away."

It comes after rising concerns over antisocial behaviour in Weymouth. Local people have spoken out following a spike in brawls, public drinking, and drug transactions in the area.

Lee Waugh, 57, is a military veteran and long-term resident of Weymouth who claims the situation has been escalating. He said: "The levels of the problems seem to be higher.

"For example, we need tables out the front to showcase our clothes and bring people into the shop, but opportunists steal them. It's a catch 22. It's a problem in town – groups can cause mayhem.

"[The council] need to issue more orders to keep them out of town, and actually enforce them. I've noticed in the winter it doesn't seem so bad, but come the summer I fully expect it will return.

"There's a lot of weed – you can smell it. People don't even hide it through town, they're walking up and down the street with it. It's the pack mentality with groups, just yobs who are only young – my mate got beaten up and had to go to hospital."

Janet and David Dye, 67 and 71, live in Essex - but often visit Weymouth to visit their son who lives in the area, agree things in the town are turning sour. David said: "If you are drinking a bottle of beer in the street, the police should stop you and tell you to tip it out – that's supposed to be the law.

"But a lot of the time they won't, until someone complains that they're drunk. But weed is the main problem, and the authorities shouldn't let everyone do it."

Sam Goom, Inspector for Weymouth and Portland Neighbourhood Policing Team, said: "Over the last five years reported anti-social behaviour in the town centre has reduced by over 40%. The Safer Street Partnership is an integral part of that success. Our collaborative effort to tackle street-based ASB has made a huge difference – our partners work extremely hard to find long-term solutions.

"They are a great bunch, and I am thankful for their continued commitment. There is always more to do but definite progress is being made."