The 253 foot Halifax landmark – which despite being built as a chimney between 1871 and 1875 was never actually connected to a factory – has undergone an extensive £400,000 restoration since shutting in 2006.

And families, tourists and thrill-seekers joined the Mayor of Calderdale Conrad Winterburn to ascend the massive structure on Bank Holiday Monday.

Ian Hutchinson, of Savile Park, Halifax, said: "The panoramas are absolutely glorious."

He took his family up the tower because six year old son Kristian has been asking to go to the top for the last four years.

Mr Hutchinson added: "When he found out it was reopening, he couldn't have been more excited.

"He's wanted to go to the top since he was two and he was up at 6am this morning he was so looking forward to it."

And Kristian, a Gleddings school pupil, gave the views a thumbs up, describing them as "fabulous."

Another visitor Ben Pearce, 30, of Cragg Vale, added: "It's just a great landmark that everyone in Calderdale should go up once in their life.

"I genuinely love it."

The tower will be opened for six more days throughout the year – on Sunday May 31, Monday June 1, Sunday June 21, Sunday July 26, Sunday August 30 and Sunday September 13.