The director of special projects at Marconi has hit back at critics of the Millennium Dome and its attractions.

Mark Broughton branded the knockers as "armchair critics" and said they should go there first before making any comments.

Marconi is the parent company of Chelmsford-based Marconi Applied Technologies and has pumped £6 million into the Mind Zone along with main sponsors the Millennium Commission.

Mr Broughton said: "It's a personal view, but they are like armchair critics. They should not carp or complain if they have not been there. It's a bit like not voting in a General Election and complaining at the result.

"I've seen so much written and spoken about the Dome. Go down there and have a look before you make any comments, make up your own mind first.

"It's like me saying I don't like your haircut without even seeing it," he added.

He said that more than 85 per cent of people who had visited the Dome had found it an exciting occasion.

A House of Commons Select Committee is due to discuss Millennium projects including the Dome from today (Thursday).

The Millennium Dome has been criticised after expected crowd numbers have fallen below expectations and the Millennium Commission had to give a £29 million lottery top-up.

The British Airways London Eye started late after safety problems and on Monday the Millennium Bridge was closed to walkers because of safety issues - although Chelmsford radio weatherman Chris Lowrie completed a charity walk for Save the Children a day before.

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